Gozo Watch Towers
During your holiday on the Maltese archipelago you will notice watch towers around the periphery of the islands. The main purpose of these towers were to guard the bays.
In the past, attacks from ships were very common. Pirate ships and Corsairs were continuously coming to Gozo to loot the small villages. Apart from looting, ottoman ships also used to enslave the local people. In fact in 1551, an Ottoman vessel docked at Gozo southern coast. They heavily raided the island, and enslaved almost all of Gozo’s population. The parish priest of Saint George’s Basilica in Victoria was also taken prison. The enslaved boarded the Ottoman ship from Mgarr ix-Xini bay. Most of them were never to be seen again.
Due to this continuous unrest, the Knights of Saint John started the Coastal Fortification Project. Part of this project were the watch towers. These towers were built near bays “entry point” to guard and protect the bay from enemy ship. Most of the towers were not equipped to attack the enemy. Their function was to light up a fire when an enemy ship was spotted. The rising smoke would alert the other towers and the island’s militia would prepare for battle.
Xlendi tower is the oldest tower still standing today. Older towers were present in the North of Gozo but no remains are present of them. The Xlendi tower is found on a sloping land away from today’s buildings. It is easily recognizable, standing right at the mouth of the bay. Being recently renovated due to high erosion from the sea, it is worth a visit and for sunset watching.
Dwejra tower located on the Western part of Gozo, watched over Dwejra Bay. It is said that this was a spot that pirates used frequently to dock. Dwejra is a popular place with tourists and offers excellent sunset watching. The tower is usually open during the summer days.
Mgarr ix-Xini tower stands just outside the mouth of the valley. This tower was of great importance. The Knights of Saint John used Mgarr ix-Xini to hide their ships and galleons from the Ottomans. So, early warning from the watch tower was important not only to defend the island, but also to safeguard the costly wooden ships.
Ta Sopu tower is located high on a steep coastal edge. Found on the limits of Nadur village, you can enjoy a nice walk towards the tower. Adjacent there is an astronomical observatory and an ecological park. Being on such high ground, it was able to guard two beaches, San Blass Bay, and Dahlet Qorrot.
The most expensive tower is Santa Marija Tower located on the south of Comino island. Being in such an isolated location, construction and logistics put a heavy weight on the cost. It was the biggest tower of all of the watch towers. A chapel was also found inside. A large platform is found under the tower, which adds up to its defensive strategy. Being on an isolated island, the tower was able to attack enemy ships, and defend itself from any take over attack.