Madliena Tower, 17th century watchtower in Pembroke, Malta
Madliena Tower is a square watchtower from the 17th century in Pembroke built on elevated ground above the north shore, with two floors and a small turret at the top. The structure formed part of a larger defense line along Malta's coastline.
Grand Master Martin de Redin ordered the construction of this tower in 1658 as part of a network of coastal watchtowers. The fortification was one of many structures built during the Knights' rule to protect the islands from raids and invasion.
The tower shows military design typical of the Knights of Malta period with Mediterranean defensive features that visitors can still observe in its walls and structure. The site reflects how local rulers once protected their coastline through a network of fortifications.
The site is reachable by following the coastal path from Pembroke and offers views of other towers in the area. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear as the route crosses rough coastal terrain.
In the 19th century British forces modified the tower by adding a circular gun emplacement to mount rifled artillery. This military adaptation shows how the structure was updated over time to match changing defense technology.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
