Saint Mary's Tower

Comino, Malta

Saint Mary's Tower is a large bastioned watchtower on the island of Comino. Saint Mary's Tower was built in 1618 to defend Comino since ships travelling between Malta and Gozo were often attacked by Barbary corsairs based on the cliffs and creeks of Comino. It also served as a communications link between the island of Gozo and mainland Malta in case of an attack on Gozo.

The tower is a large, square building with four corner turrets, and is located about 80 metres above sea level. The tower itself is about 12 metres tall, with walls that are approximately 6 metres thick, and is raised on a platform and plinth that are approximately 8 metres high. A musketry gallery was built on the plinth, but this no longer exists. Overall, the tower is higher than any of the other Wignacourt towers. The tower was surrounded by a ditch and glacis, the remains of which can still be seen today. A chapel dedicated to Saint Joseph is also located within the tower.

During times of crisis, its garrison numbered up to 60 soldiers. By 1791, its armament included two 12-pound iron cannon, one 10-pound bronze cannon, one 4-pound bronze cannon, and two 3-pound bronze cannon. After 1715, Saint Mary's Battery and Saint Mary's Redoubt were also built around the coast of Comino, and these had a garrison of 130 men and housed eight 32-pounder and ten 24-pounder cannons, which dominated the North and South Comino Channels.

Later on, the Order also built a barrack block on Comino, a short distance away from the tower. The barracks were later used as an isolation hospital.

In the 17th century, Comino served as a place of imprisonment or exile for errant knights. Knights who were convicted of minor crimes were occasionally sentenced to the lonely and dangerous task of manning St. Mary's Tower. During the French blockade of 1798–1800, St. Mary's Tower served as a prison by the Maltese insurgents and their British allies for suspected spies or French sympathizers. In 1799, the insurgents transferred the tower's cannons to blockade batteries to bombard French positions. Insurgent positions armed with cannons taken from Comino included Tas-Samra Battery and Ta' Għemmuna Battery.

The tower was abandoned by the British military in 1829. For several decades it was deemed to be property of the local civil authorities, and may have been used as an isolation hospital, or even as a wintering pen for farm animals. The tower again saw active service during both World War I and World War II.

Between 1982 and 2002, the tower was used by the Armed Forces of Malta. It served as a lookout and staging post to guard against contraband and the illegal hunting of migratory birds at sea.

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Marker
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Address

Comino, Malta
See all sites in Comino

Details

Founded: 1618
Category: Castles and fortifications in Malta

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Paul Ciprian (4 months ago)
Nothing really impressing, if we talk about the tower. The only impressive place in the area is the Blue Lagoon.
Queralt Ginebra (2 years ago)
Tower was open yesterday even though it isn't usually on Mondays (because the weather had been bad the previous days) - you can always check: raised flag = tower is open! The guy there was very nice, there's information about the tower in many languages, and you can see the inside and go enjoy the views from the top (for only a 2€ donation, bring cash!) Peaceful area, recommend if you want to get away from the overcrowdedness of the blue lagoon, and not very far of a hike from there (I also recommend walking around the little island, but that's another story)
Ljiljana Grubač (2 years ago)
We actually did not get inside (this is why I do not put 5 stars) because it was closed (there was no flag on it, indicating it is open, but you get that info only from the sign in front of the tower), but the astonishing views we enjoyed and the people we met on the way there and in front of it were worth the effort.
Andreas Kraus (3 years ago)
Great sight, definitely a must see. Especially from the top! It has some nice explanation inside as well about the use of the tower, how many cannons and troops were stationed there over the centuries, etc. There is also an explanation about all the other historical buildings on Gozo inside, covering the bakery, cemetery, etc. Entry fee is 2€ per person and children have free entry. There is also a nice staff member inside chilling out and explaining things if you're interested. Go there!
Paul Smith (4 years ago)
Nice place to walk to on the island of Camino, unfortunately couldn't go up the steps as it was closed.
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