Here’s a detailed account of Xlendi Tower,the oldest surviving coastal watchtower in Gozo:
Xlendi Tower
📍 Location
Xlendi Bay, Munxar, Gozo
Built on the rocky headland at the entrance to Xlendi Bay, guarding the small inlet.
Coordinates: approx. 36.027538, 14.213337.
🏗️ Construction
Year built: 1650
Built under: Grand Master Giovanni Paolo Lascaris, Knights of St John.
Funding: Paid for by the Uditore (legal advisor) of the Order, Fra Bernardo Macedonia.
Style:
Small, squat square-plan tower, simpler than later towers.
Two storeys with thick limestone walls and flat roof.
Originally had a drawbridge/ladder entrance for protection.
Interior: one room for guards, storage space, and a water cistern.
🏰 Design of Xlendi Tower
📐 General Layout
Plan: Square, compact footprint.
Height: ~2 storeys, around 8–10 m high.
Walls: Very thick limestone walls for strength and resistance to bombardment.
Style: Functional, military architecture, built for watch duties rather than heavy defense.
🔹 Purpose & Strategic Role
Built to protect Xlendi Bay, a vulnerable landing spot on Gozo’s southern coast.
Designed to stop Ottoman and Barbary corsair raids (which often targeted Gozo for slaves and supplies).
Served as a lookout and signalling point:
Fires and smoke by day, torches at night.
Communicated with Mgarr ix-Xini Tower and inland watch posts.
Manned by a small garrison of three men, armed with muskets and initially it held two 6-pounder guns; later two 4-pounder guns replaced them..
📜 Later History
18th century: remained in use but overshadowed by larger De Redin towers.
19th century (British period): still used occasionally as a coastguard station against smuggling.
20th century: fell into neglect, becoming dilapidated.
Restored several times in recent decades (1990s, early 2000s).
🏛️ Present Day
Managed by Din l-Art Ħelwa, a Maltese heritage NGO.
Accessible to the public, though usually by appointment or during open days.
Stands as one of the best-preserved small towers in the Maltese Islands.
Popular stop for hikers exploring the cliffs around Xlendi.
🗂️ Quick Facts
| Feature | Detail |
| Built | 1650 |
| Builder | Knights of St John, under Grand Master Lascaris |
| Financier | Fra Bernardo Macedonia (Uditore of the Order) |
| Function | Watchtower & signaling post |
| Garrison | 3 men, light weapons |
| Material | Local Limestone |
| Condition today | Restored, heritage site |
✅ Summary:
Xlendi Tower is the oldest surviving watchtower in Gozo, built in 1650 to defend Xlendi Bay from corsair raids. Though small, it played a vital role in the early coastal defense network of the Knights of St John and today stands as a restored heritage landmark overlooking one of Gozo’s most scenic bays.
