St Agatha's Tower

St Agatha's Tower, always called the Red Tower for its paintwork, was built between 1647 and 1649 on Marfa Ridge as one of the Lascaris towers, part of a chain intended to watch the coast and signal between positions. It is a square block with four corner turrets, strong enough to hold a garrison and guns, and it commands the channel between Malta and Gozo along with the whole northern coast. It was restored by a heritage organisation and is opened by volunteers.

History

The tower was built between November 1647 and April 1649 to a design by the architect Antonio Garsin, with outer walls about four metres thick at the base and a chapel inside; it was the Knights' main stronghold in the west of Malta and also stored supplies for other posts in the north (Wikipedia, Saint Agatha's Tower).

Highlights

• The bastioned form - a square tower with four corner turrets and gun positions.
• The channel view - Gozo, Comino and the northern coast from the roof.
• The red paintwork - the colour that has given it its usual name.
• The signal chain - one of a line of towers built to pass signals along the coast.

When to go

October to May is most comfortable; the ridge is exposed and hot in summer. Opening is by volunteers and hours are limited. Clear days give the best views to Gozo.

Good to know

Opening depends on volunteers and the tower is often shut. The interior is small and largely bare. The ridge is windy and exposed with no shade.

Nearby

Mellieha is southeast, and the Gozo ferry is north.

Key facts