Ħamrija Tower Explained

Ħamrija Tower
Native Name:Torri tal-Ħamrija
Partof:the De Redin towers
Location:Qrendi, Malta
Type:Coastal watchtower
Coordinates:35.8245°N 14.4399°W
Ownership:Government of Malta
Controlledby:Heritage Malta
Built:1659
Builder:Order of Saint John
Materials:Limestone
Condition:Intact

Ħamrija Tower (Maltese: Torri tal-Ħamrija), originally known as Torre della Pietra Nigra (Maltese: Torri tal-Ħaġra s-Sewda)[1] and also known locally as Torri ta' Rsejjen,[2] is a small watchtower in Qrendi, Malta. It was completed in 1659 as the twelfth of the De Redin towers. The tower was restored by Heritage Malta and it is now in good condition.

History

Ħamrija Tower was built in 1659 on a cliff on the southwestern coast of Malta, on the site of a medieval watch post.[3] It is located between Għar Lapsi, which is part of Siġġiewi, and Wied iż-Żurrieq, which is part of Qrendi. From the tower, one can see Filfla. The tower is located a few hundred metres from two Neolithic temple sites, Mnajdra and Ħaġar Qim, although these had not yet been discovered when it was built.

The tower's structure is similar to the other De Redin towers, having a square base with two floors. The entrance is on the upper floor, which can be reached by a retractable ladder.

The nearest tower in the chain is the Sciutu Tower to the southeast. Ħamrija Tower is the last tower on the southwest coast, so it has no other towers in its line of sight. It was originally armed with a 3-pounder gun and a ½-pounder gun, which were mainly used to signal to the other towers.[4]

Present day

The tower was recently restored and partially rebuilt after parts of its external revetments collapsed. These works involved the reconstruction of the spiral staircase, along with the shaft and parapet. It now forms part of the Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra Archaeological Park, which includes the temples, the tower, a memorial to Sir Walter Congreve, a visitor centre and the surrounding area.[5]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Ġrajjet Malta - It-Tielet Ktieb. 2006. Department of Education. Sliema. 81. 4. Maltese.
  2. Pace. Karmenu. L-Imsajad. L-Imnara. 2009. 9. 2. 96. 7 August 2015. Għaqda tal-Folklor. Maltese.
  3. Zammit. Vincent. Fortifications in the Middle Ages. Civilization. 1984. 1. 33. PEG Ltd. Ħamrun.
  4. Web site: Bonnici. Alan C.. A Walk along the South West coast of Malta. AlanBonnici.com. 30 May 2015.
  5. Book: Stroud. Katya. Ħaġar Qim & Mnajdra Prehistoric Temples - Qrendi. 2010. Heritage Books (subsidiary of Midsea Books Ltd). Santa Venera. 9789993273172.