Għajn Ħadid Tower, Watchtower in Selmun, Malta
Għajn Ħadid Tower sits on a cliff overlooking Mġiebaħ Bay with sweeping views across to Comino, Gozo, and St Paul's Bay. The tower contains two stacked rooms connected by an internal passage, with the main entrance reached by a retractable staircase to the upper level.
Built in 1658 as the first of Martin de Redin's coastal fortifications, this tower served as the design template for many subsequent defensive structures on the islands. The innovation in its construction influenced how Malta would fortify its coastline in following generations.
The tower takes its name from a nearby spring with mineral-rich waters that shaped the local landscape. Visitors today can see how this structure represented Malta's network of coastal watchtowers that protected the islands from sea threats.
The clifftop location requires visitors to be prepared for exposed terrain and potentially strong winds when exploring the surrounding area. Early morning visits offer the best light for photography and fewer crowds at this popular vantage point.
Rubble-walled fields around the tower supplied the garrison with vegetables and livestock, making it partly self-sufficient rather than depending entirely on supply runs. This blend of military post and farming activity reveals how early coastal forts functioned as more than just watchtowers.
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