Saint Mary's Tower, also known as Santa Marija Tower or Comino Tower (Torri ta' Kemmuna in Maltese), is a historic bastioned watchtower located on the small, uninhabited island of Comino in the Maltese archipelago. Positioned roughly in the center of Comino's southern coast, at coordinates approximately 36°00′24.8″N 14°19′47.2″E and about 80 meters (262 feet) above sea level, it overlooks the channels between Malta and Gozo, offering panoramic views of the turquoise Mediterranean Sea, surrounding cliffs, and distant coastlines. This 17th-century structure was built as part of Malta's coastal defense system and stands as the island's most prominent landmark, visible from ferries plying the route between Malta and Gozo. Comino itself, derived from the Arabic word for "sheltered place," was historically a hideout for pirates and corsairs, making the tower's strategic placement crucial for monitoring maritime threats.
The idea for a defensive tower on Comino dates back to 1416, when the
Maltese people petitioned King Alfonso V of Aragon to construct one as
an early warning system against invasions by Turks, pirates, smugglers,
and corsairs who used the island's caves as bases for raids on Malta and
Gozo. In 1418, the king imposed a special tax on imported wine to fund
the project, but the funds were diverted, leaving Comino undefended for
another two centuries. Construction finally began and was completed in
1618 under Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt of the Order of Saint John
(Knights of Malta), making it the fifth of six Wignacourt towers
designed to protect shipping routes and facilitate communication between
Malta and Gozo via signal fires or flags. The tower's construction cost
18,628 scudi, 5 tari, and 10 grani— the highest among the Wignacourt
towers—due to the challenges of transporting materials to the barren
island, primarily funded by selling Comino's brushwood. The architect
remains unknown, though some historical claims incorrectly attributed it
to Vittorio Cassar.
In the 17th century, the tower housed a garrison
of up to 60 soldiers during crises and was armed with various cannons,
including two 12-pound iron cannons, one 10-pound bronze cannon, one
4-pound bronze cannon, and two 3-pound bronze cannons by 1791. It also
served as a place of imprisonment or exile for knights convicted of
minor crimes, who were sometimes required to man it as punishment. After
1715, additional fortifications like Saint Mary's Battery and Saint
Mary's Redoubt were built nearby, boosting the garrison to 130 men with
eight 32-pounder and ten 24-pounder cannons to control the North and
South Comino Channels. A barrack block was constructed adjacent to the
tower, later repurposed as an isolation hospital.
During the French
blockade of Malta (1798–1800), the tower functioned as a prison for
suspected spies and French sympathizers, with its cannons relocated to
support Maltese insurgents and British forces bombarding French
positions. The British military abandoned it in 1829, after which it
fell under civil authorities and may have been used as an isolation
hospital or even a winter pen for farm animals. It saw renewed military
use during World War I and World War II, monitoring naval activities in
the Mediterranean, including German and Italian threats. From 1982 to
2002, the Armed Forces of Malta used it as a lookout post to combat
contraband and illegal bird hunting at sea. In 2018, the tower
celebrated its 400th anniversary with a ceremony featuring re-enactments
of its construction and historical manning. Notably, parts of the 2002
film The Count of Monte Cristo were filmed here, adding to its cultural
significance. It is also linked to local traditions, such as the annual
Feast of Santa Marija in August, a religious celebration on Comino.
Saint Mary's Tower is a large, square bastioned coastal watchtower constructed from local limestone, standing about 12 meters (39 feet) tall with walls approximately 6 meters (20 feet) thick for defense against artillery. It is elevated on a plinth and platform roughly 8 meters (26 feet) high, making it taller than other Wignacourt towers to enhance visibility and communication. The design features four corner turrets for all-around surveillance, narrow windows for musket fire, and a small arched doorway accessed via a stone staircase. Originally surrounded by a ditch and glacis (remnants of which remain), it included a musketry gallery on the plinth, though this no longer exists. Inside, the tower contains simple living quarters, storage areas, and a small chapel dedicated to Saint Joseph. A cylindrical turret on the roof served as an additional lookout point. Over centuries, exposure to sea winds caused stone deterioration and vegetation damage, but restorations have preserved its original form.
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.