Madliena Tower

Madliena Tower, photo taken from cliffs to the South of the 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-Irqiqa 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. In the 19th century, it was modified to mount a 64 pound rifled muzzle loading (RML) gun on the roof.^[1]

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level has been filled in and is no longer visible, the Grand Master's commemorative plaque is missing too and has been replaced by a slab of limestone.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.

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

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

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

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

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  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.

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

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  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.

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

References

1. ↑ http://www.malta.com/en/about-malta/city-village/pembroke Tourist information for Pembroke, Malta

Historic Watch Towers of Malta and Gozo Garzes towers Garzes Tower^ Wignacourt towers Wignacourt Tower St Lucian Tower St Thomas Tower Marsalforn Tower^ St Mary's Tower Santa Maria delle Grazie Tower^ Lascaris towers Lippija Tower Għajn Tuffieħa Tower Nadur Tower Qawra Tower Sciuta Tower St Agatha's Tower Xlendi Tower Dwejra Tower St George's Tower De Redin towers Għajn Ħadid Tower^ Għallis Tower St. Mark's Tower Madliena Tower St. Julian's Tower Armier Tower Bengħisa Tower^ Triq il-Wiesgħa Tower Xrobb l-Għaġin Tower^ Delimara Tower^ Żonqor Tower^ Ħamrija Tower Wardija Tower Mġarr ix-Xini Tower Cotoner towers Isopu Tower Tour–Reduits Fresnoy Redoubt^ Marsalforn Tower^ Spinola Redoubt^ Vendôme Tower ^ Demolished/destroyed

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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