Sciuta Tower Explained

Sciuta Tower
Native Name:Torri ta' Xutu
Partof:the Lascaris towers
Location:Qrendi, Malta
Type:Coastal watchtower
Coordinates:35.8193°N 14.4536°W
Ownership:Government of Malta
Controlledby:Din l-Art Ħelwa
Open To Public:Yes
Used:1638–1873
1940s
Builder:Order of Saint John
Materials:Limestone
Condition:Intact
Battles:World War II

Sciuta Tower (Maltese: Torri ta' Xuta), also known as Sciutu Tower (Maltese: Torri ta' Xutu) or Wied iż-Żurrieq Tower (Maltese: Torri ta' Wied iż-Żurrieq), is a small watchtower in Qrendi, Malta. It was completed in 1638 as the fifth of the Lascaris towers. The tower was restored by Din l-Art Ħelwa.

History

Sciutu Tower (aka locally as Torri ta’ Xutu and Torri Sciuto) was built in 1637–1638 in Wied iż-Żurrieq, located within the Qrendi boundaries, on the site of a medieval watch post.[1] It served as the prototype for the De Redin towers, which were built between 1658 and .[2]

After the British took over Malta in 1800, Sciutu Tower remained in use and was manned by the Royal Malta Fencible Regiment and later the Royal Malta Fencible Artillery. It was abandoned in 1873 but was manned by the Coast Police once again during World War II. The tower subsequently used as a police station until 2002. An original cannon dating back to the Order's rule can still be found on the tower's roof.

Present day

In March 2013, Din l-Art Ħelwa was entrusted by the Government with the conservation of this tower for a period of 10 years.[3]

In September 2014, the tower and the surrounding area was cleaned of waste and debris by Din l-Art Ħelwa volunteers as well as the Qrendi Scouts.[4] The tower underwent restoration conservation until 2016, and was inaugurated and opened to the public in 2019.[5] [6]

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Zammit. Vincent. Fortifications in the Middle Ages. Civilization. 1984. 1. 33. PEG Ltd. Ħamrun.
  2. Web site: Attard. David P.. The De Redin Tower. Armed Forces of Malta. https://web.archive.org/web/20150531095315/http://afm.gov.mt/file.aspx?f=496. live. 31 May 2015.
  3. News: Din l-Art Helwa to manage Wied iż-Żurrieq Tower. 20 April 2014. Times of Malta. 6 March 2013.
  4. News: Wied iz Zurrieq tower gets much-needed clean-out. 16 September 2014. Times of Malta. 7 September 2014.
  5. Web site: Corporate Responsibility. Malta International Airport. 17 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150408055653/http://corporate.maltairport.com/en/corporate-social.htm. 8 April 2015. dead.
  6. Web site: TA' XUTU TOWER IN WIED IŻ-ŻURRIEQ IS RESTORED AND OPEN FOR VISITORS. Din l-Art Ħelwa. 25 July 2019 . 22 March 2020.