Wied Musa Battery, Blue Lagoon Travel Guide

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Explore Wied Musa Battery in Mellieħa, Malta: a historic coastal defense transformed into a palace with stunning views.

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Wied Musa Battery

Wied Musa Battery, also known as Swatar Battery, is a historical artillery battery in Mellieħa, Malta, constructed in 1714-1716 by the Order of Saint John. Part of a chain of coastal fortifications, it defended the northern coast of Malta. In the 19th century, it was converted into the Marfa Palace Hotel, later used as a retreat house and police station.

A brief summary to Wied Musa Battery

X8PR+MRP, Triq Il-Marfa, Mellieħa, MT

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Wied Musa Battery.

Explore the well-preserved gun platform to see original hardstone flagstones and cannonball storage.
Combine your visit with a trip to nearby attractions like the Red Tower and Għadira Nature Reserve.
Take a leisurely walk around the surrounding area to appreciate the natural beauty of the landscape.

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Explore Wied Musa Battery on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Wied Musa Battery, mapped for you.

Getting There

Public Transport

From Valletta, take bus line 41 or 42 towards Cirkewwa. The journey takes approximately 40-50 minutes. Alight at the Ghadira bus stop. From there, walk along Triq Il-Marfa for about 15 minutes to reach Wied Musa Battery.
Taxi

From Valletta, a taxi ride to Wied Musa Battery takes approximately 27 minutes. Taxis are readily available throughout Valletta. The estimated fare is around €25-€35.
Walking

If you are already near Ghadira Bay, Wied Musa Battery is a 15-minute walk along Triq Il-Marfa. Enjoy the scenic coastal views as you head north.

Discover more about Wied Musa Battery

Wied Musa Battery, or Batterija ta' Wied Musa in Maltese, also known as Swatar Battery, is a former artillery battery located in Marfa, within the limits of Mellieħa, Malta. Constructed between 1714 and 1716 by the Order of Saint John, it formed part of the island's first building program of coastal fortifications. These fortifications were strategically positioned to protect Malta's northern coast.The battery originally featured a semi-circular gun platform with a parapet containing four embrasures for cannons. A rectangular blockhouse secured the rear, incorporating musketry loopholes for defense. In 1785, the battery was armed with four 8-pounder guns, with ammunition stored in the nearby Saint Agatha's Tower.During the 19th century, Wied Musa Battery underwent a significant transformation into the Marfa Palace Hotel, also known as Palazz l-Aħmar (Red Palace). This conversion led to the demolition of the redan and the incorporation of the blockhouse into the new structure. The building later served as a retreat house and a police station before falling into disuse in the 1990s. After being occupied by squatters and suffering a fire in 2005, the hotel and battery were abandoned.Today, the gun platform remains well-preserved, showcasing original hardstone flagstones and cannonball storage areas. Although the structure is stable, it is in a dilapidated state.