Vendôme Tower, Coastal defense tower in Marsaxlokk, Malta
Vendôme Tower is a coastal fortification with a square footprint and sloped walls located in Marsaxlokk. The structure features a protective parapet, multiple musketry loopholes for defense, two interior rooms, and a rooftop level.
The Order of Saint John built this defensive installation in 1715 under Philip de Vendôme's command to strengthen coastal defenses. It was part of a series of similar fortifications constructed around Malta between 1715 and 1716.
The tower now serves as headquarters for Marsaxlokk Football Club, blending the old fortification with contemporary community life. This repurposing shows how local institutions have transformed a military relic into a living gathering place.
The main entrance replaces the original drawbridge and provides access to the interior. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes as the rooftop requires climbing narrow stairs and spaces are compact throughout.
This is the only fully preserved tower of its kind among four similar fortifications built in Malta. The other structures are now destroyed or severely damaged, making this one a rare survivor.
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