Wignacourt Tower

Wignacourt Tower is named after the Grand Master of the Knights of St. John, Alof de Wignacourt (1601-1622). He founded seven watchtowers, of which five have survived to this day. They were built in the years 1610-1649. The tower has been open to visitors since 1970. You can see an exhibition of fortification models and their armaments and equipment from the 17th-19th century.

Designed by Vittorio Cassar, the Wignacourt Tower was erected as the first in a series of fortifications guarding the shores of the island from an unexpected attack from the sea. Every night a watch was carried out in the tower, and in case of danger a signal was sent (a fire was lit) to the nearest watchtower within sight. The towers had the value of not only observation points, but also defensive buildings difficult to get.

Alof de Wignacourt's successors - Paul Lascaris Castellar (1636-1657) and Martin de Redin (1657-1660) - continued the expansion of coastal fortifications. De Redin built the most, as many as 13 towers - following the example of its predecessors, he carried out the construction at his own expense.