You can see it up there that dominates the island from the top of the hill: The Red Tower. Situated on the crest of Marfa Ridge in Mellieha, it is one of the Maltese military fortifications. As you can imagine, its name derives from the colour in which it was painted.
It is possible to see it from different points of the island. Its red ocher stands out in contrast with the blue of the sea and the green countryside.
Looking from a distance, it seems like a small red dot on the horizon, but moving close, it becomes a majestic, symmetric building.
As you can read in the various information plaques inside the tower, it was built in 1647/49, during the reign of Grand Master Lascaris.
Dedicated to Saint Agatha, its proper name is Saint Agatha’s Tower. Inside the tower was a small chapel in the name of Saint Agatha. It is one of the watch towers whose aim was to guard and protect the straits between Gozo and Malta.
However, today, The Red Tower is one of the most tourist attractions of Malta. Its most beautiful aspect is the stunning view from the rooftop. From there, you can see almost half of the island, including the islands of Gozo and Comino.
That view will take your breath away. The white cliffs of Gozo, Ghadira Bay, Mellieha, cultivated fields, the Ghadira Nature Reserve and the shimmering sea are all around you. You feel to be at the top of the world, in paradise.
You must include The Red Tower in your “to-visit list” of Malta. In fact, besides its historical importance, it is one of the best places to have a great point of view of the island. You will fall in love with this spot.
