{{Infobox military installation | name = Briconet Redoubt | native_name = Ridott ta' Briconet | location = Marsaskala, Malta | image = Briconet Redoubt - part used as police station.jpeg | image_size = 300px | caption = View of Briconet Redoubt | map = Briconet Redoubt map.png | image_mapsize = 300px | map_caption = Map of Briconet Redoubt | type = Redoubt | coordinates = {{coord|35|51|56.2|N|14|33|54.8|E|type:landmark|display=inline}} | ownership = Government of Malta | controlledby = Police Department<br>Scout Association of Malta | open_to_public = No | built = 1715 | used = | builder = Order of Saint John | materials = Limestone | height = | condition = Intact | battles = | events = | garrison = Żejtun Regiment }}
'''Briconet Redoubt''' ({{langx|mt|Ridott ta' Briconet}}), also known as '''Marsaskala Redoubt''' ({{langx|mt|Ridott ta' Marsaskala}}) or the '''Vendôme Entrenchment''' ({{langx|mt|It-Trunċiera ta' Vandomu}}), is a redoubt in Marsaskala, Malta. It was built in 1715 by the Order of Saint John as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the Maltese Islands. Until recently, the redoubt was used as a police station.
==History== Briconet Redoubt was built in 1715 as part of the first building programme of coastal batteries and redoubts in Malta. It formed part of the defences of Marsaskala Bay, which also included the large St. Thomas Tower and Battery and the now-demolished Żonqor Tower.<ref name="guillaumier">{{cite book|last=Guillaumier|first=Alfie|date=2005|title=Bliet u Rħula Maltin – Volume 2|language=Maltese|publisher=Klabb Kotba Maltin|isbn=9993239402|pages=154–155, 955}}</ref>
thumb|left|The redoubt viewed from the rear
Briconet Redoubt's structure is typical of most other coastal redoubts built in Malta. It consists of a pentagonal platform having short flanks, and a rectangular blockhouse sealing off the gorge. Unlike other Maltese redoubts, the gorge and flanks have high boundary walls pierced by musketry loopholes. These were built to defend the redoubt from a landward attack, since it is overlooked by high ground.<ref>{{cite web|title=Marsascala police station|url=http://anecdotesfrommalta.blogspot.com/2009/05/marsascala-police-station.html|website=anecdotesfrommalta.blogspot.com|date=12 May 2009|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620191553/http://anecdotesfrommalta.blogspot.com.mt/2009/05/marsascala-police-station.html|archivedate=20 June 2016}}</ref>
Construction of the redoubt cost 768 scudi. These were paid by the knight Giovanni Battista Briconet, and the redoubt was named in his honour. The redoubt was initially garrisoned by militia from Żejtun,<ref name="lc">{{cite web|title=Fortifications|url=http://marsaskala.lc.com.mt/fortifications/|website=Marsaskala Local Council|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316102719/http://marsaskala.lc.com.mt/fortifications/|archivedate=16 March 2016}}</ref> and was armed with two cannons.<ref name="guillaumier"/>
==Present day== thumb|right|View of the redoubt with one of the modern structures visible
Briconet Redoubt is still intact and in good condition, being one of the best preserved redoubts in Malta.<ref name="lc"/> A few modern modifications have been made, such as the opening of a small doorway on one of its faces to enable access from the modern road. The redoubt is surrounded by modern buildings, including Marsaskala's parish church,<ref>{{cite web|title=Marsaskala|url=http://www.mydestination.com/malta/sights/138452/marsaskala|website=mydestination.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620191535/http://www.mydestinationmalta.com/sights/marsaskala|archivedate=20 June 2016}}</ref> which have completely blocked its relation with the sea.
Until the early 21st century, Briconet Redoubt was used as the Marsaskala Police Station,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lovinmalta.com/lifestyle/living-in-malta/redoubts-the-ultimate-guide-to-maltas-prolific-fort-building-history-part-6|title=Redoubts: The Ultimate Guide To Malta's Prolific Fort-Building History, Part 6|website=lovinmalta.com|date=21 June 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Chetcui|first1=Joe|title=The Malta Independent Online|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2006-10-29/letters/the-malta-independent-online-164341/|work=The Malta Independent|date=29 October 2006|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304110355/http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2006-10-29/letters/the-malta-independent-online-164341/|archivedate=4 March 2016}}</ref> until this was moved to an irregular structure in a garden next to the church.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.illum.com.mt/ahbarijiet/qrati_u_pulizija/40042/marsascala_tispia_mingajr_gassa_talpulizija|title=Marsascala tispiċċa mingħajr għassa tal-Pulizija|website=illum.com.mt}}</ref> Today, the redoubt is a Grade 1 national monument and is also listed on the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands.<ref>{{cite web|title=Marsacala Redoubt|url=http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1424.pdf|website=National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629144904/http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1424.pdf|archivedate=29 June 2015|date=28 June 2013}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|Briconet Redoubt}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20150629144904/http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1424.pdf National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands]
{{redoubts}}
Category:Redoubts in Malta Category:Hospitaller fortifications in Malta Category:Military installations established in 1715 Category:Defunct police stations in Malta Category:Limestone buildings in Malta Category:National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands Category:18th-century fortifications Category:1715 establishments in Malta Category:Buildings and structures in Marsaskala Category:18th Century military history of Malta
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