Saint Mary's Tower (Maltese: Torri ta' Santa Marija), also known as
Santa Marija Tower or the Comino Tower (Torri ta' Kemmuna), is a large
bastioned watchtower on the small island of Comino, situated between the
main islands of Malta and Gozo. Built in 1618, it is the fifth of the
six iconic Wignacourt Towers constructed by the Order of Saint John
(Knights Hospitaller) to defend the Maltese archipelago against Barbary
corsairs, Ottoman threats, and pirates who frequently used Comino's
secluded cliffs and creeks as bases to ambush ships traveling between
Malta and Gozo.
Its elevated position (approximately 80 meters above
sea level on the southern coast) offers panoramic views over the North
and South Comino Channels, making it one of the most visible landmarks
in the entire archipelago—clearly seen from Malta, Gozo, and the ferries
that cross the channel. Today, it stands as a protected heritage site
managed by the volunteer organization Din l-Art Ħelwa on behalf of the
Government of Malta. It is open to the public seasonally and serves as a
popular tourist attraction alongside Comino's famous Blue Lagoon.
Pre-Construction Background (1416–1618)
The need for a defensive
structure on Comino was recognized centuries earlier. In 1416, the
Maltese petitioned King Alfonso V of Aragon (who ruled Malta at the
time) to build a tower there. The island's strategic yet vulnerable
position made it a perfect hideout for Turks, pirates, smugglers, and
corsairs launching raids on Malta and Gozo. A tower would provide early
warning via signals and deter such use.
Two years later, in 1418, the
king imposed a special tax on imported wine to raise funds for the
project. However, the money was diverted into the royal coffers, and
Comino remained undefended for nearly two centuries. During this period,
corsair attacks on inter-island shipping continued unabated,
highlighting the urgent need for fortification once the Knights took
control of Malta in 1530.
Construction in 1618
The tower was
finally erected in 1618 under Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt (r.
1601–1622), who spearheaded a major coastal defense program. It formed
part of the early Wignacourt tower network, designed not only for
defense but also for visual communication (using fire or smoke signals)
between the Cittadella in Gozo and Mdina in Malta.
Financing came
primarily from the sale of brushwood (dried wild artichoke or white
thistle, locally called qaqoċċ selvaġġ or xewk abjad) growing on Comino,
supplemented by profits from resettling farmers on the island
(encouraged by the new security). The total cost reached approximately
18,628 scudi (plus tari and grani)—the highest of any Wignacourt
tower—due to the logistical challenges of ferrying all materials,
workers, and supplies to the barren, waterless island. Construction
likely took about two years.
The architect remains unknown. A 1647
claim by historian Giovanni Francesco Abela attributing the design to
Vittorio Cassar (son of renowned architect Girolamo Cassar) is
considered unreliable, as Cassar had died before work began.
Military Role Under the Knights (1618–1798)
The tower served
primarily as a lookout, signaling station, and defensive outpost. A
typical garrison was small, but it could swell to 60 soldiers during
crises. By 1791, its armament included two 12-pounder iron cannons, one
10-pounder bronze, one 4-pounder bronze, and two 3-pounder bronze
cannons. In the 17th century, Comino (and the tower) doubled as a place
of exile or imprisonment for Knights convicted of minor offenses—they
were often required to help man the defenses as punishment.
In
1715–1716, under Grand Master Perellos, complementary defenses were
added: Saint Mary's Battery and Saint Mary's Redoubt on Comino's coasts.
These expanded the garrison to around 130 men and added heavy artillery
(eight 32-pounders and ten 24-pounders) to control the channels.
The
tower successfully deterred attacks—no major battles or sieges are
recorded at the site itself—but its presence greatly improved security
and communications across the islands. It also indirectly encouraged
farming and settlement on Comino.
French Period and Blockade
(1798–1800)
During the French occupation of Malta and the subsequent
Maltese uprising (supported by British and Neapolitan allies), the tower
was repurposed as a prison for suspected spies and French sympathizers.
In 1799, its cannons were stripped and relocated to insurgent batteries
(such as Tas-Samra and Ta' Ġemmuna) to bombard French positions in
Valletta and elsewhere.
British Colonial Era and World Wars
(1829–Mid-20th Century)
The British abandoned the tower militarily in
1829, transferring it to local civil authorities. It may have served
briefly as an isolation/quarantine hospital or even a wintering pen for
farm animals. It was included in Malta's 1925 Antiquities List for
protection.
The site saw renewed military activity during the World
Wars:
In World War I, it functioned as an observation post, with
nearby barracks possibly used as a hospital for wounded from campaigns
like the Dardanelles. Some accounts describe it as an internment camp
for German prisoners of war.
In World War II, it again served for
monitoring Mediterranean naval movements.
20th–21st Century:
Modern Use, Restoration, and Heritage
From 1982 to 2002, the Armed
Forces of Malta (AFM) used the tower as a lookout and staging post to
combat smuggling/contraband and illegal hunting of migratory birds at
sea.
In 2002, the AFM handed it over to Din l-Art Ħelwa (Malta's
national heritage trust, founded 1965). Extensive restoration began
immediately (largest project ever undertaken by the NGO at the time) in
two phases—exterior first (turrets, battlements, and masonry repairs
using traditional methods), followed by internal structural work.
Sponsored in part by the Vodafone Foundation and Malta Maritime
Authority, the project was completed around 2004–2006. The musketry
gallery was not rebuilt, but the tower retains most original features
and is now in excellent condition despite exposure to sea winds and
cliffs.
Site Integration and Overall Form
The tower occupies a commanding
position roughly in the centre of Comino’s southern coast, perched
approximately 80 metres above sea level on a high ridge. This elevation
maximises visibility for observation, signalling (via flags or fires),
and long-range artillery fire across the Malta–Gozo channel while making
it a dramatic landmark visible from ferries and neighbouring islands.
Externally, it presents as a large square (or slightly rectangular)
bastioned structure with four projecting corner turrets. The main tower
body rises about 12 metres high and sits atop a broad platform and
plinth approximately 8 metres high, giving an overall structural height
of around 20 metres—taller and more imposing than other Wignacourt
towers. The plinth features a former 3-metre-wide musketry gallery (now
gone) around its top for rapid defender movement, and the entire complex
was encircled by a ditch and glacis formed by a thick, high rubble wall
of loose stones designed to create the illusion of a moat and impede
attackers. Remnants of this defensive perimeter are still clearly
visible.
Materials and Construction
All elements are built
from local Maltese limestone—durable, golden-hued blocks quarried on the
mainland and ferried across. The massive scale reflects the need to
withstand artillery; walls average 6 metres thick at the base, tapering
slightly upward. Construction emphasised solidity over ornament: no
elaborate Baroque flourishes, but clean, proportional lines with a
rugged yet elegant presence that blends into Comino’s rocky landscape.
Defensive and External Features
The four corner turrets project
perpendicularly from the main block and are crowned with battlements
(crenellations) for enfilading fire. These, together with the thick
walls and elevated position, allowed defenders to cover all approaches.
Narrow loopholes and small windows pierce the masonry for musketry and
minimal light/ventilation. The roof functions as a flat gun platform
surrounded by a parapet, originally mounting cannons (e.g., 12-pounders
and smaller pieces) for long-range defence rather than close-quarters
fighting.
Interior Layout and Construction
The extreme wall
thickness creates a compact but highly functional interior. Access
between levels is ingenious and defensive:
An inclined
tunnel/ramp built within the thick walls leads from the entrance floor
to upper levels.
An internal staircase then ascends to the roof.
The tower features stacked barrel vaults (“powerful vaults”) for
structural strength and fire resistance—the lower vault forms the
basement/dungeon (used for storage or prisoners), while the taller upper
vault was later subdivided into two floors, each divided into four
square rooms to house the garrison (typically 25–30 men, up to 60 in
crises) or prisoners. These spaces served as living quarters, armory,
and storage. A small chapel dedicated to Saint Joseph (sometimes
referenced as St. Mary in older accounts) is integrated internally,
reflecting the Knights’ religious-military ethos. Additional features
likely included a cistern for water collection and powder magazines.
Lower chambers were converted to stables during the British era, and a
small basement doorway was added in 1927.
Roof and Armament
Platform
The flat roof, accessible via the internal stairs, served as
the primary artillery and observation deck. Corner turrets enhance its
defensive perimeter, and the panoramic views enabled effective
signalling between Mdina and the Cittadella in Gozo. Historical armament
included bronze and iron cannons; the tower’s height prioritised
long-range fire over close defence.
Unique Aspects and Evolution
Saint Mary’s Tower is distinguished by its plinth elevation, exceptional
wall thickness, integrated ditch/glacis, and logistical
complexity—making it more fort-like than a simple watchtower. Later
additions included the nearby Santa Marija Battery (1715, semi-circular
with embrasures) and a redoubt, expanding its role in the coastal
defence network. It saw use as a prison (for knights or French
collaborators), possible isolation hospital, and military lookout
through both World Wars until 2002.
Restoration addressed sea-salt
weathering, vegetation, and missing stones, rebuilding battlements and
clearing the ditch while preserving original fabric. Today it retains
its raw military character—massive, unadorned limestone blocks, thick
walls, and strategic geometry—embodying the pragmatic Baroque-era
military engineering of the Knights of St. John.
Today, Saint Mary's Tower is owned by the Government of Malta and managed by the heritage organization Din l-Art Ħelwa, which oversaw its extensive restoration from 2002 to 2004, returning it to good condition while retaining most original features. It is open to the public from April to October on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., weather permitting and when the flag is flying. Visitors can explore the interior, climb to the roof for stunning views, and learn about Malta's military history through exhibits. Access is via boat from Malta or Gozo, followed by a 15-minute hike from Santa Marija Bay or the Blue Lagoon area. The tower symbolizes Malta's resilience against invasions and remains a key site for tourists interested in history, architecture, and natural beauty, often combined with visits to Comino's beaches and lagoons.