Saint Agatha's Tower (Red Tower) in Mellieha, Malta
Saint Agatha's Tower, also known as the Red Tower, Mellieha Tower or Fort Saint Agatha. Saint Agatha's Tower was built between November 1647 and April 1649 to a design by the architect Antonio Garsin. The structure consists of a square tower with four corner towers. Cannon ports in the turrets gave interlocking fields of fire commanding the base of the walls and the gateway, with other large cannon ports in the faces of the main tower. The outer walls are approximately four metres thick at the base and the interior of the tower is enclosed by a barrel vaulted roof. The corner turrets are surmounted by very characteristic fish tail crenelations. A chapel was located within the tower. The tower is situated in a commanding position on the crest of Marfa Ridge at the north west end of Malta, overlooking the natural harbor and potential enemy landing site of Mellieha Bay, with clear views over to Comino and Gozo, and also eastward to the line of watchtowers along the north shore of Malta that linked it with the Knights headquarters in Valletta. It was the Knights' primary stronghold in the west of Malta, and was manned by a garrison of 30 men, with ammunition and supplies to withstand a siege of 40 days. The ammunition of other fortifications in the north of Malta, such as Ahrax Tower and Wied Musa Battery, was also stored in the tower. Like many of the Knights' early defensive structures, St. Agatha's Tower was strengthened during the early 18th century. A low profile rubble wall entrenchment was built around the flanks of the tower in the form of a redan trace. Due to this, the tower also functioned as a redoubt, similar to the one at Zabbar during the French blockade. It continued to have a military function throughout the British period, and was manned during both World Wars. From the British period it continued its military function being used as a radar station by the Armed Forces of Malta.
Size: 5760px × 3840px
Location: Saint Agatha's Tower, Triq Tad Dahar, Mellieha, Island of Malta, Malta, Southern Europe
Photo credit: © DE ROCKER / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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