Between 1750 and 1762 the renowned architect, Burlemach, was commissioned by both Grandmaster De Redin and
Grandmaster Pinto to build a number of fortresses around Birzebbuga.
These were the Ridott at St. George’s Bay, which was equipped with five guns; Pinto Battery (also known as Faretti Battery)
which was equipped with 13 guns; the ridott at Kalafrana, which was equipped with 6 guns and had a deep moat / ditch.
Here is some recent history and pictures of Wied il - Buni.
Going back to c1930 to 1950s the 'wied' was looked after by a local family and the fertile soil was cultivated by this family who were called by nickname of 'tal - pikles '. They owned and ran a Grocery Shop about half way from the Birzebbuga Bus Terminus and the RAF / RN Kalafrana Base.
During WW2 the Military took over all of wied il - Buni. At the Bus Terminus end where the wied / ditch began the entrance was closed by a barbed wire fence. Inside on the rocky ground, all along to Kalafrana more barbed wire was installed and only a narrow passage-way towards the sea edge was left for anyone to walk along from the Bus Terminus end to the far inner end where the wied / ditch ended. This was very close to where the RAF / RN seaplane hangers and workshops were located at the start of the Kalafrana Base.
No civilians were allowed to enter the wied il - Buni area during WW2. Starting from the Bus Terminus end there was an Army concrete gunpost that was manned by the English Devonshire Regiment personal. There was also a concrete searchlight post close to the gunpost.
They type of Army gunposts that were located at wied il - Buni. There were two of these. About twice the size that's shown in this picture.
A bit further in and very close to the gunpost there was a Bofors anti aircraft gun. This was installed during 1940 and manned by the Maltese Army (K.O.M.R. - King's Own Malta Regiment)
The type of anti aircraft gun that was located near the entrance to wied il - Buni that received a direct hit from a bomb dropped by an Italian aircraft during 1941.
One evening during 1941 at about 10pm there was an air raid. Italian bombers were over Delimara. One of the aircraf was caught in the beam of the searchlight and it immediately released at least three bombs. One of these bombs landed directly over this Bofors gun. Five Maltese Army gunners were killed instantly. The 2nd bomb landed on houses in Triq San Frangisku Saverju / St Francis Xavier Street, exactly halfway between Triq San Patrizju / St Patrick Street and Triq San Filippu / St Philips Street. No civilians were hurt as they were all down in the air raid shelters. The third bomb landed on the rocks by the side of the gunpost. Besides the five Maltese gunners that were killed when their gun was hit, an English soldier was killed in the road. He was riding a bicycle just past the Bus Terminus and was hit by bomb schrapnel.
At the far end of Wied il - Buni where the carpark is today there was another concrete gunpost. This was also manned by the English Army.
About half way along Wied il - Buni there used to be a high steel post. The locals used to call it ' l'arblu ta Wied il - Buni '. This location by this steel post was a favourite spot for many swimmers.
When WW2 ended the barbed wire was removed but many short sections of rusted steel angle iron was left jutting out of the rock surfaces where people used to walk. These were very dangerous and many people suffered injuries to their feet and toes.
At the inner end, close to where the Bocci Club is today there were many salt-pans.
Picture shows a section of moat / ditch that ran parralel with Wied il - Buni and Triq San Patrizju / St Patrick Street. This location is approximately opposite where Triq il - Kummerc / Commerce Str is today and close to the curve in the road where Kalafrana Road begins.
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A similar picture, this time looking from the Kalafrana side.
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A section of the Ridott which shows where the guns were located. This location is towards the inner end of Wied il - Buni, close to Kalafrana Road.
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Another view of the foss / moat. This is looking towards the Kalafrana RAF / RN base. One can see the RAF Workshop in the background. Also the Married Quarters and the Officers Mess Buildings. This part of the foss / moat was not looked after and the soil not cultivated like the section that is shown in the top picture.
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This picture shows the ' New Look ' of Wied il - Buni in the early days when updating and renovation the location was taking place. The picture shows the area from Triq il - Progress / Progress Street to Triq il - Gurgier / Gurgier Street , that is approx inline with the carpark. One can see the Bocci Club and the Bingo playing area. At that period a lot of work was in progress to beautify Wied il - Buni and Triq San Patrizju / St Patrick Street.
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The 'New Look' Wied il - Buni. Looking good.
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Same location as previous picture. Here one is looking towards Pretty Bay. The Southend Guesthouse can be seen at right of picture.
Photo by Dina of maltadailyphoto.blogspot.com
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Looking beautiful. Clean and tidy. This is looking from the Bus Terminus end.
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Another colour view. The Bus Terminus area. The Parish Church in the background and the holiday appartments.
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Looking at the full stretch view of Wied il - Buni from near the bus terminus end
The Freeport Administration Building in the background.
An excellent view of the the leisure part of Wied il - Buni today.
A lovely view taken from near the Bocci Club, looking towards Pretty Bay. A lovely place to relax and meet friends.
Photo by Dina of 'maltadailyphoto.blogspot.com'
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