St. James Bastion is the second of
the two main bastions making up the land front defences of Birgu. Its principal
role was to protect the ramparts from the direction of Kalkara Creek and the
heights of San Salvatore. This bastion was remodelled in the 1720s and it owes
its present configuration to Mondion’s interventions. It appears to have been
linked by a small sally-port, via a bridge, to the covertway during this
period. A low cavalier, raised on two large vaulted casemates, was also added
to the gorge of the bastion around this time. The ERDF 039 project has sought
to repair and restore the heavily consumed masonry fabric of the bastion, particularly
along its right flank and face. The works also involved the reconstruction of
the parapet on the right flank, with its three embrasures, the re-paving of
part of the bastion terrace and artillery platforms, the repairs to the
consumed bridge, and the unearthening and opening up of the sally-port and the
gallery leading down to the ditch.