Madliena Tower

Madliena Tower is a fortification on the island of Malta built by the Knights of Malta. A watchtower, it stands on high ground above the shore west of Ras L-Irqieqa on the north shore of Malta.

It is one of a chain of de Redin towers towers that permitted communication between Gozo and the Knights headquarters in Valletta. To the west the tower has sight of St Mark's Tower (also known as Qalet Marku), and to the east St George's Tower.

After the British gained control of Malta, this tower continued to serve as a military installation. At one time a rifled muzzle loading (RML) gun was mounted on the roof.

The tower still stands and appears to be in a very worrying neglected condition. Its historical value is usurped by makeshift modifications and adjacent illegal structures.

As seen in the view from the south there are very visible makeshift alterations to the structure. The original door at the second level has been filled in and is no longer visible, the Grand Master's commemorative plaque is missing too and has been replaced by a slab of limestone. A steel door in the new access defaces the historical value of the tower. There is also obvious damages to the south side of the structure.

Situated nearby, are what appear to be remains of a World War 2 military installation.

  • Madliena Tower, photo taken from cliffs to the south of the tower.

  • Madliena Tower, photo taken from top of what appears to be remains of some sort of World War 2 military installation.

  • Madliena Tower, southeastern side, photo taken from the immediate base of the tower.

  • Madliena Tower, close up photo of the alterations and damages of the southeastern side.

  • Madliena Tower, southwestern side, photo taken from the immediate base to the southwest of the tower. Structural damages are also obvious on this side of the tower.

  • Madliena Tower, northwestern side, observation window is missing, photo taken from the immediate northwestern base.

  • Madliena Tower, northeastern side, evident are the two illegal structures built adjacent to the tower. Photo take from the immediate northeastern base of the tower.

  • Madliena Tower, view to the northwest. Photo taken from the immediate northwestern base of the tower, visible in the distance is Qalet Marku Tower.

Historic Watch Towers of Malta
Wignacourt towers
  • St Lucian Tower (Marsaxlokk)
  • Marsalforn Tower (Marsalforn)
  • St. Mary's Tower (Comino)
  • St. Paul's Bay Tower (San Pawl il-Baħar)
  • Santa Maria delle Grazie Tower (Xgħajra)
  • St Thomas Tower (Marsaskala)
Lascaris towers
  • St. Agatha's Tower (Mellieħa)
  • Ghajn Tuffieha Tower (Mġarr)
  • Nadur Tower (Binġemma Gap, Victoria Lines, Malta)
  • Qawra Tower (San Pawl il-Baħar)
  • Sciuta (Ta' Xuta) Tower
  • Ta' Lippija Tower
De Redin towers
  • Ahrax (White) Tower
  • Benghisa Tower
  • Delimara Tower
  • Ghajn Hadid Tower
  • Għallis Tower
  • Hamrija Tower
  • St. Julian's Tower
  • Madliena Tower
  • St. Mark's Tower
  • Triq Il-Wisgha Tower
  • Wardija Tower
  • Xrob l-Ghagin Tower
  • Zonqor Tower
Towers on Gozo
  • Isopu Tower (Nadur)
  • Marsalforn Tower (Marsalforn)
  • Mgarr Ix-Xini Tower
  • Xlendi Tower (Munxar)
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Coordinates: 35°56′11.8″N 14°28′23.1″E / 35.936611°N 14.473083°E / 35.936611; 14.473083

Famous quotes containing the word tower:

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    —Eric Gill (1882–1940)