Ħamrija Tower

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.

Ħamrija Tower
Torri tal-Ħamrija
Part of the De Redin towers
Qrendi, Malta
Ħamrija Tower with Filfla in the background
Coordinates35°49′28.2″N 14°26′23.8″E
TypeCoastal watchtower
Site information
OwnerGovernment of Malta
Controlled byHeritage Malta
ConditionIntact
Site history
Built1659
Built byOrder of Saint John
MaterialsLimestone

History
Plaque on the Ħamrija Tower

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. It has excellent views of the island of Filfla. The tower is located a few hundred meters 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 Norris Congreve, a visitor centre and the surrounding area.[5]

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


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