Bengħisa Tower facts for kids

Bengħisa Tower, also known as Torre di Benissa or the Red Tower, was a small watchtower located in Bengħisa, near Birżebbuġa, Malta. It was built a long time ago, in 1659. This tower was part of a group of towers called the De Redin towers, which were built to protect the coast of Malta.

Bengħisa Tower: A Coastal Watcher

Bengħisa Tower was a special kind of building called a watchtower. Its main job was to keep an eye on the sea. People inside the tower would watch for any enemy ships or pirates trying to approach Malta's shores. If they saw danger, they would send a warning to other towers or nearby towns.

Why Was It Built?

The tower was built by the Knights Hospitaller, also known as the Order of Saint John. They were a group of knights who ruled Malta for many years. They built many towers around the island to protect it from attacks. Bengħisa Tower was the seventh tower in the De Redin series, named after Grand Master Martin de Redin who ordered their construction. It was built on a spot where people had probably watched the coast even in medieval times.

Defenses and Guns

Over time, the tower's defenses were made stronger. In 1761, a special defensive ditch or wall, called an entrenchment, was built around it. This entrenchment helped protect the tower from land attacks. The tower was also equipped with 10 guns, making it ready to defend itself and the coast.

The Tower's End

Bengħisa Tower stood for many years, watching over the coast. However, its story came to an end in 1915. The British, who were in control of Malta at that time, decided to demolish it. They needed to clear the area around a nearby military base called Fort Benghisa. Removing the tower helped them have a clear view and firing range for the fort's guns.

Where the Tower Stood

Today, you won't find Bengħisa Tower standing anymore. The area where the tower and its entrenchment once stood is now part of the Malta Freeport. This is a large port with many oil tanks and shipping containers. It's interesting to think that a place once used for watching out for enemies is now a busy center for trade and transport.

Oil tanks at the Malta Freeport, with the site of the tower roughly at the centre of this picture