Ta' Tabibu farmhouse

Ta' Tabibu Farmhouse

View of The Devil's Farmhouse
General information
Status Intact but dilapidated
Type Militia watch post
Farmhouse
Architectural style Vernacular
Location St. Paul's Bay, Malta
Coordinates 35°56′54.07″N 14°23′30.49″E / 35.9483528°N 14.3918028°E / 35.9483528; 14.3918028
Named for Former farmer
Completed 14th or 15th-century
Owner Private property
Technical details
Material Limestone
Floor count 1
Design and construction
Architect Unknown

Ta' Tabibu Farmhouse, originally known as the Dejma Tower, is a medieval building in St. Paul's Bay, Malta, which originally served as a militia watch post. It was later converted into a farmhouse and remains till present.

History

Ta' Tabibu Farmhouse was built in the 14th or 15th centuries as part of Malta's early network of coastal fortifications. It was manned by the Dejma, the local militia responsible for coastal defence. It is the oldest surviving building in St. Paul's Bay,[1] with the exception of megalithic and Roman ruins such as Buġibba Temple and San Pawl Milqi.

The original 14/15th-century militia watch post with later additions on the side

The building was the only defensive building in St. Paul's Bay until the construction of the Wignacourt Tower in 1610. This tower was the first of a new network of coastal towers that were built in Malta in the 17th century.[2]

In World War II, bombs fell in the area around the farmhouse, but did not hit the building itself. Today, the building remains intact but is in a dilapidated state.[3]

Ecology and heritage

Ta' Tabibu Farmhouse at far, standing close to the cliffs and surrounded by vegetation
The added farmhouse rooms as seen from the road
The yard of the farmhouse

The area around the farmhouse has unique flora and fauna, and is protected by the Maltese authorities as an Out of Development Zone (ODZ), Area of Ecological Importance (AEI) and Site of Scientific Importance (SSI).[2]

In 2010, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority refused to allow modern buildings to be built near the Ta' Tabibu farmhouse due to the area's ecological importance. This decision was welcomed by the heritage NGO Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Ta Tabibu Farmhouse". 8472cdn.biz (in German). Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 "Development near oldest building in St Paul's Bay refused". Times of Malta. 23 October 2010. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  3. ↑ "Save Tabibu Farmhouse-Tower 14/15th century Malta". causes.com. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
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