The De Redin Towers
A network of thirteen standardized watchtowers erected rapidly between 1658 and 1659 to create continuous visual communication along Malta’s vulnerable coastlines.The Lascaris Towers
A small group of coastal watchtowers built under Grand Master Jean de Lascaris to strengthen Malta’s shoreline surveillance and complement earlier Knights of St John defences.The Wignacourt Towers
The earliest coastal towers in Malta, constructed in the early 17th century to provide strong defensive positions and act as refuges against Ottoman and corsair attacks.Punic Towers
Punic towers in Malta represent rare ancient defensive and signalling structures, offering insight into early Mediterranean military strategy and the island’s strategic importance.Redoubts
Small, low-profile coastal fortifications built mainly in the early 18th century to protect landing points, support nearby batteries, and strengthen Malta’s layered defence system.Tour–Reduits
Rare hybrid fortifications combining a tower and redoubt, designed to provide observation, local defence, and a final defensive refuge within Malta’s coastal fortification network.Other Hospitaller towers
Additional coastal towers built by the Order of Saint John outside major tower systems, often tailored to specific bays, harbours, or strategically exposed shoreline locations.Privately built towers
Defensive towers constructed by individuals or local authorities, primarily for observation and early warning, later integrated informally into Malta’s wider defensive landscape.Semaphore Towers
19th-century signalling towers used for visual communication across the Maltese Islands, forming a rapid information network linking coastal areas with military and administrative centres.Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between Wignacourt, Lascaris, and De Redin towers?
A: The main differences lie in their size, timing, and military purpose. Wignacourt towers (early 17th century) are large, heavily fortified coastal strongholds built to withstand sieges and house garrisons. Lascaris towers (1630s–1640s) and De Redin towers (1658–1659) are much smaller, standardized watchtowers designed purely for surveillance and signaling.
Q: Why were the coastal towers of Malta built?
A: They were built by the Order of Saint John (Knights of Malta) to protect the islands from Ottoman invasions and pirate/corsair raids. Their primary role was to act as an early warning system, using smoke by day and fire by night to signal the capital, Valletta, whenever enemy ships approached.
Q: How many coastal towers are still standing in Malta?
A: Out of the dozens built by successive Grand Masters, many have survived and been meticulously restored by heritage organizations. Prominent examples open to the public include St. Agatha’s Tower (The Red Tower) in Mellieħa and the Wignacourt Tower in St. Paul's Bay.
Q: What are Semaphore towers, and how do they differ from older watchtowers?
A: Semaphore towers were introduced later by the British military in the mid-19th century. Unlike the Knights' watchtowers, which relied on simple fires or flags, Semaphore towers used a mechanical signaling system with movable arms to pass highly specific coded messages across the islands.
Research & Documentation
- Researcher: Paul Berman
- Last Updated: 2026
This page forms part of eMalta's ongoing documentation of the historical, cultural and religious heritage of Malta and Gozo.
Information has been compiled through site visits, field research, historical publications, archival records, maps, plans and other reference sources.
All locations that currently exist featured on eMalta have been personally visited and documented. Where historic sites no longer exist, information has been researched from archival sources and contemporary records.
Images used on eMalta include original photography as well as historical illustrations, maps and photographs reproduced with permission from archives, institutions and copyright holders where applicable. Individual image credits and archive reference numbers are provided where available.