St Agatha’s Tower

St Agatha’s Tower, or as it is more commonly called, the Red Tower is situated on a high ridge that gives anybody in it unobstructed views of the surrounding countryside and, more importantly, the sea.

The tower was built in 1647-1648 during the reign of Grand Master Lascaris as part of the coastal defences of the island and was dedicated to St Agatha – one of the patron saints on Malta. Inside the tower there is a small chapel dedicated to the saint.

Originally, the tower was probably accessed by a drawbridge. The interior of the tower consists of two vaulted rooms with four corner towers. If the need arose, it was able to house a garrison of about 50 men who had at their disposal five cannons positioned on the roof. The tower was manned by British soldiers during both of the world wars. At the base, the walls of the tower are about four metres thick. It is not known when or why the tower was painted red.

In recent years the tower has been restored by Din l-Art Helwa (Malta’s Heritage Trust) with the aid of three private companies.

The Red Tower, Triq tad-Dahar, Mellieha

Opening hours: daily 10.00 – 13.00 hrs; Tuesdays 10.00 – 16.00 hrs

Entrance fee: 2EUR

 

Snapshots of …Ta’ Bettina Tower (Bettina’s Tower)

On the way to an area of Delimara known as Xrobb l-Ghagin (best pronounced as shrobb lajin), an unpaved country lane forks off to the left. From the road, you can make out the top of Ta’ Bettina Tower. This tower was built in around 1740 by the Dorell family. Located on the grounds that belong to the tower is a chapel dedicated to St Paul’s Shipwreck. Both Ta’ Bettina tower and the chapel are privately owned and are inaccessible to the public.

Can anybody say Rapunzel?

I was half expecting an evil old witch to walk out of the tiny, worn door.

But nobody appeared. Perhaps the handsome prince had already carried Rapunzel off.

Location: Ta’ Bettina Tower, Xrobb l-Ghagin, Delimara

P.S. If you climb up the pine tree situated to the right of this door, you will be able to catch a glimpse of the chapel. Unfortunately, both of my hands were occupied with grasping branches so I could not take a photo of it.

Nadur Tower

Nadur Tower

Nadur Tower is situated 220metres above sea level at a place called Bingemma Gap. It is one of 5 towers commissioned by Grand Master Lascaris between 1637 and 1640. The tower is about 11 metres high and consists of 2 small rooms on the ground floor. Access to the roof was via a wooden ladder (today replaced by iron rungs stapled into the wall).

Inside Nadur Tower

Nadur Tower was one of several look-out posts built by the Knights of St John to survey the surrounding sea. Each tower was located in a strategic position to enable communication with other nearby towers. This tower is in a magnificent vantage point with unobstructed views of almost all the island.

Nadur Tower

Bingemma

May 2012