Għallis Tower, Malta (MT)

FORTE CULTURA Stop: Dwejra Tower, Malta (MT)
Image: Daniel Cilia, Din l-Art Helwa

Significant Maltese coastal watchtower overlooking Salina Bay

Għallis Tower (in Maltese „Torri tal-Għallis“), built in 1658 by the Order of St John under Grand Master Martin de Redin and originally known as „Torre delle Saline“ (Italian for „Tower of the Salt Pans“), was the second of the thirteen De Redin towers erected to strengthen the Maltese coastal warning system. The tower is situated at Għallis Point near Salina in Naxxar and commanded the entrance to Salina Bay. It was part of a chain of watchtowers used for coastal surveillance, relaying warnings by means of red flags during the day and bonfires at night.

Unlike larger coastal fortifications, the de Redin towers served primarily for signalling rather than for defending against a large invasion fleet. However, the Għallis Tower was armed with a 4-pounder bronze cannon and two swivel guns, and a commander and three guards were stationed there. In the 18th century, the towers also took on tasks such as preventing unauthorised landings and combating smuggling. During the early British colonial period, the Għallis Tower continued to be maintained for coastal defence and was garrisoned by the Malta Fencible Artillery.

Architecturally, the tower follows the standard design of the de Redin towers. It was built from local limestone, has a square footprint of approximately 9 metres by 9 metres and stands about 12 metres high, with two storeys, thick walls and a small turret on the roof. The walls consist of an outer layer of harder coralline limestone, an inner layer of globigerina limestone and a filling of rubble masonry in between. The tower was restored in 1995–1996, and further exterior restoration work was carried out in 2022 to preserve the structure and its prominent location on the coastal road.

Today visitors can admire the tower from the surrounding area and explore the coastal landscape around Għallis Point and Salina Bay. The tower is of particular interest as part of the larger network of De Redin towers and can easily be combined with a visit to the nearby Salina Nature Reserve and other historical sites on the north coast.

Discover with FORTE CULTURA one of Malta's thirteen de Redin towers and a significant coastal watchtower overlooking Salina Bay! The tower is located near Salina, Naxxar.