St.John’s Demi-Bastion

Region	Gozo
Building type	Fortification
Address	St. John's Demi-Bastion, It-Telgħa tal-Belt, Victoria, Malta
Located Graffiti	Anthropomorphic, Apotropaic Symbols, Dates, Names or Initials, Religious Iconography, Ship Graffiti, Symbols, Text

Being a fortified city, the Cittadella in Gozo is a maze of bastions, walls and historical spots. St. John’s Demi-Bastion is located at the perimeter of the fortress’ inner walls. Graffiti can be found in both the indoor and outdoor walls of this Bastion. An array of graffiti types, from ship graffiti to dates to animal graffiti can be enjoyed in this location.

Gallery

Religious Iconography - A triangular symbol bearing a crucifix is located next to an etching in the shape of a bell numbered ‘10185’. The letters ‘A.F’ superimpose some of the graffito.

Ship Graffiti - On one of the lower courses of the outer wall, a small graffito of a ship can be seen. Unfortunately, this graffito will soon be lost.

Building - The upper courses of a stone building bear a flag. The flag is given a date ‘1885’. There are multiple graffiti etched in the same style as this example on the outer wall.

Names, Initials, Date and Symbols - This stone block frames the text ‘J. HARRIS 1856’ which is followed by the eight-pointed cross symbol. Underneath lie the letters ‘J.A’ written in cursive. At the bottom, ‘LOZEN’ is etched.

Symbols - This pictorial etching seems to feature olive leaves and an emblem, crowned by a cross.

Religious Iconography - A crucifix symbol.

The entrance of St. John’s Demi-Bastion’s entrance is peppered with different graffiti types. Here one can see apotropaic symbols in the form of hexafoils, text, numbers, symbols and religious iconography.

Anthropomorphic - The outline of a hand is a usual find amongst graffiti types. Here, the hand is accompanied by text likely reading a name and the numbers ‘68’ probably implying the date.

Animals - In close proximity to the ship graffito described previously, one can see a horse graffito. The horse has also been given a tail.

Ship Graffiti - On the outside wall of St. John’s Demi-Bastion, a ship can be seen. The hull is depicted with planking and a transom. A bowsprit holds a Genoa sail and a gaff is rigged as the mainsail.

Symbol - A flag bearing St. Andrew’s Cross.

Text and Date - Dates are a common graffiti type, most often accompanied by names, initials or other forms of text.

Ship Graffiti - Two clearly etched ships endowed with rigging. Note the similarity in the style with which the ships are etched. They were likely done by the same hand.

Ship Graffiti - A traditional Maltese boat rigged with the spritsail.

Ship Graffiti - Evidence of some ambiguous lines forming the shape of a boat. The sternpost and hull lines can be defined. The boat likely has spritsail rigging.

Anthropomorphic - An outline of a hand volumed by a diamond pattern containing the numbers ‘1868’, likely referring to the date.

Ship Graffiti - A large etching of a ship in full sails including headsails. This graffito measures around 50cm.

Symbols - A carving of a spoon inside the stronghold of St. John’s Demi-Bastion.

St.John’s Demi-Bastion

Gallery

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