Għajn Ħadid Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Għajn Ħadid Tower |
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| Torri ta' Għajn Ħadid | |
| Part of the De Redin towers | |
| Mellieħa, Malta | |
Ruins of Għajn Ħadid Tower
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| Coordinates | 35°58′4.1″N 14°23′6″E / 35.967806°N 14.38500°E |
| Type | Coastal watchtower |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Government of Malta |
| Condition | Ruins |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1658 |
| Built by | Order of Saint John |
| Materials | Limestone |
| Fate | Collapsed, 1856 |
Għajn Ħadid Tower (in Maltese: Torri ta' Għajn Ħadid), also called Torre di Salomone or Xagħra Tower, is a ruined watchtower in Selmun, near Mellieħa, Malta. It was built in 1658. This tower was the very first of the De Redin towers, a series of towers built to protect the coast. Sadly, its top part fell down during an earthquake in 1856, and it has been in ruins ever since.
Contents
History of the Tower
Għajn Ħadid Tower was the first of the De Redin towers to be built. Its construction happened between March and May in 1658. Building the tower cost 529 scudi, which was a lot of money back then.
Where the Tower Stood
The tower was built on a cliff overlooking Mġiebaħ Bay. From this spot, it had great views of many places. These included l-Aħrax tal-Mellieħa, Comino, Gozo, St. Paul's Bay, and Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq. This wide view helped guards spot any approaching ships.
How the Tower Looked
The design of Għajn Ħadid Tower was based on the Sciuta Tower, built in 1638. It had a square shape with two floors. There was also a small turret on its roof. The entrance was a doorway on the first floor. People could only reach it using a ladder that could be pulled up. This design was later used for all the other De Redin towers in Malta.
Life at the Tower
In 1743, a report checked all coastal towers because people worried about a plague. This report said that Għajn Ħadid Tower had two bronze cannons. It also had cannonballs, gunpowder, muskets, and musket balls. Six people usually worked and lived in the tower.
Unique Features Around the Tower
The area around the tower had several fields with stone walls. These fields were used to grow crops and keep animals. A well, dug into solid rock, was also found close to the tower. The people guarding the tower probably used these fields and the well. This was important because the tower was in a remote area, making it hard to get supplies. So, the tower could mostly take care of itself.
Near the tower, there is also a small room that could be defended. It has holes for muskets. We don't know if this room was built before or after the tower. The remains of a small sentry room can also be seen nearby. All these extra features are special and only found at Għajn Ħadid Tower.
The Tower's Collapse
Għajn Ħadid Tower was badly damaged by an earthquake on October 12, 1856. The top floor of the tower completely fell down. After the earthquake, many of its stones were taken away. These stones were then used to build other structures. However, part of the tower's base still remains today.
What Remains Today
The small defensible room near the tower survived the earthquake. It is still there today. Even though the tower is in ruins, it is still very important. Its remains show parts of the tower's design that are not usually seen in the towers that are still standing. Since the other De Redin towers look almost the same, studying Għajn Ħadid Tower helps us learn more about how they were all built.
The special plaque that was originally on the tower is now on display. You can see it in a garden in Tas-Salib Square in Mellieħa. The tower's 6-pound cannon was found in 1975. It is also displayed in the same garden, next to the plaque.
See also
In Spanish: Torre Ghajn Hadid para niños
Images for kids
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This is what Għajn Ħadid Tower might have looked like before it collapsed.
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The ruined Għajn Ħadid Tower and the small defensible room nearby.
