The Red Tower (St. Agatha’s Tower), Mellieħa

Tower in Valletta

CC BY-SA 2.0 / Tony Hisgett

Perched dramatically on one of Malta's highest ridges overlooking Mellieħa Bay, the Red Tower, officially known as St. Agatha's Tower, is one of the island's most striking and iconic landmarks. Built in 1649 during the reign of Grand Master Jean Paul Lascaris-Castellar, the tower was designed to serve as a watchtower and defensive post guarding the northern approaches to Malta. Its commanding position offered panoramic views of Gozo, Comino, and the surrounding seas, allowing sentries to communicate with other coastal towers using fire and smoke signals. The structure's bold red hue, restored to its original pigment, makes it instantly recognizable against the rugged Maltese landscape — a vivid symbol of Malta's centuries-old military vigilance.

Architecture and Design

Constructed from limestone and mortar, the Red Tower is a fine example of 17th-century military architecture. Its thick walls, nearly four meters deep, were built to withstand artillery fire, while its square plan and four corner turrets provided ideal vantage points for spotting incoming vessels. Inside, a spiral staircase connects the ground floor to the roof terrace, where soldiers once stood watch. The tower could accommodate a small garrison of around 30 men, complete with ammunition stores and living quarters. It was strategically aligned with other nearby fortifications, such as Comino Tower and Mellieħa's entrenchments, forming part of the Knights' northern defense network against Ottoman and corsair incursions.

From Knights to Modern Wars

Throughout its long history, the Red Tower played multiple roles. During the British era, it was refurbished and reused for coastal surveillance, and during both World Wars, it served as an observation post, keeping watch over maritime movements across the Malta Channel. Later, it came under the care of the Armed Forces of Malta, maintaining its importance in national defense. Eventually, the tower was decommissioned and painstakingly restored by Din l-Art Ħelwa, a Maltese heritage organization, which transformed it into a small museum open to the public.

Visiting the Red Tower Today

Today, the Red Tower is one of the best-preserved watchtowers in Malta and a must-visit for anyone exploring the island's northern region. The panoramic views from the rooftop are among the finest in the Maltese Islands — stretching across Gozo, Comino, Mellieħa Bay, and the azure Mediterranean Sea. Inside, visitors can explore exhibitions detailing the tower's military past and restoration. Its vivid red color, stunning setting, and deep historical significance make the Red Tower both a photographer's dream and a window into Malta's centuries of maritime defense.

The The Red Tower (St. Agatha’s Tower), Mellieħa appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Valletta!

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