Ħamrija Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ħamrija Tower |
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|---|---|
| Torri tal-Ħamrija | |
| Part of the De Redin towers | |
| Qrendi, Malta | |
Ħamrija Tower with Filfla in the background
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| Coordinates | 35°49′28.2″N 14°26′23.8″E / 35.824500°N 14.439944°E |
| Type | Coastal watchtower |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Government of Malta |
| Controlled by | Heritage Malta |
| Condition | Intact |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1659 |
| Built by | Order of Saint John |
| Materials | Limestone |
Ħamrija Tower (also called Torri tal-Ħamrija in Maltese) is a small watchtower found in Qrendi, Malta. It was built a long time ago, in 1659. This tower was the twelfth one in a series of towers known as the De Redin towers. Today, the tower has been fixed up by Heritage Malta and looks great.
Contents
History of Ħamrija Tower
Ħamrija Tower was built in 1659. It stands on a cliff along the southwestern coast of Malta. Before this tower, there was likely an older watch post in the same spot.
Where is the Tower Located?
The tower is located between two places: Għar Lapsi (which is part of Siġġiewi) and Wied iż-Żurrieq (which is part of Qrendi). From the tower, you can clearly see the small island of Filfla.
The tower is also quite close to two very old temple sites. These are the Neolithic temples of Mnajdra and Ħaġar Qim. However, these ancient temples had not been discovered yet when the tower was built.
How the Tower Was Built
Ħamrija Tower looks very similar to the other De Redin towers. It has a square base and two floors. The main entrance is on the upper floor. To get inside, people would use a ladder that could be pulled up. This made it harder for enemies to get in.
Tower's Role and Weapons
Ħamrija Tower was the last tower on the southwest coast. This means it couldn't see other towers in its direct line of sight. It was armed with two small guns. These guns were mainly used to send signals to other towers, not for big battles.
Ħamrija Tower Today
The tower has recently been restored. Some parts of its outer walls had fallen down, so they were rebuilt. This work included fixing the spiral staircase, its central shaft, and the top wall (parapet).
Today, Ħamrija Tower is part of the Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra Archaeological Park. This park includes the ancient temples, the tower itself, a memorial, a visitor centre, and the land around them.
See also
In Spanish: Torre Hamrija para niños
