Dwejra Tower, Coastal watchtower in San Lawrenz, Malta.
Dwejra Tower is a limestone fortification at the western edge of Gozo that features thick defensive walls and elevated viewing positions overlooking the Mediterranean. The structure displays typical characteristics of Maltese coastal defense architecture with its compact design and surrounding fortified elements.
The tower was built in 1652 under Grand Master Giovanni Paolo Lascaris as protection against Ottoman raids on the coastline. It also monitored access to nearby Fungus Rock and served as part of a larger defensive chain across the islands.
The tower belongs to a defensive network that once connected the islands through observation and signals. Visitors can see today how these structures shaped Malta's coastal protection and commanded the landscape around them.
The structure sits on Gozo's western side and can be reached on foot or by car from nearby settlements. The location offers open views to the sea, so visitors should check weather conditions and wear comfortable shoes for the terrain.
During World War II, the tower played a role in rescuing a British RAF pilot who crash-landed nearby in 1943. The event shows how this old fortification retained practical value for island defense long after it was built.
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