Mellieħa

Exploring Malta ❤️ Hiking the Red Tower 🇲🇹🌍 Saint Agatha's Tower sits atop l-Aħrax tal-Mellieħa at the edge of the Marfa ridge, overlooking Għadira Bay and the islands of Comino and Gozo in the distance. 🤩 The tower was painted red by the Knights of St. John so it could be recognized from other towers in the same eye line. It was constructed over 2yrs and was finished in 1649. 📚 It stands as part of a defensive strategy built all along the coastline of the Maltese islands, used as intimidation and communication with other towers. 🔥 The tower can defend itself with cannons as well as supplies to last up to 40 days of a siege. Normally housing 4 local militia members, it can be reinforced by up to 50 extra soldiers in the case of incursion. It was also manned by the British in both World Wars. 😳 The hike is a little under 4km (2.5 miles) one way, and takes anout an hour from the Mellieħa parish church. You can also get there from Paradise Bay, Ċirkewwa, or the Chapel of Immaculate Conception on the northeast tip of the island.