Saint Mark's Tower

Saint Mark's Tower (Maltese: Torri ta' San Mark), originally known as Torre del Cortin[1] and also known as Qalet Marku Tower (Maltese: Torri ta' Qalet Marku), is a small watchtower in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, limits of Naxxar, Malta. It was completed in 1658 as the third of the De Redin towers. Today, the tower is in good condition.

"Qalet Marku" redirects here. For the nearby battery and redoubt, see Qalet Marku Battery and Qalet Marku Redoubt.
Saint Mark's Tower
Torri ta' Qalet Marku
Part of the De Redin towers
Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, Naxxar, Malta
Saint Mark's Tower viewed from the south
Coordinates35°56′47.3″N 14°27′12″E
TypeCoastal watchtower
Site information
OwnerGovernment of Malta
Controlled byDin l-Art Ħelwa
Open to
the public		Yes (by appointment)
ConditionIntact
Site history
Built1658
Built byOrder of Saint John
MaterialsLimestone

History

Saint Mark's Tower was built in 1658 on Qrejten Point in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, on the north shore of Malta. It was built on or near the site of a medieval watch post.[2] It has sight of Għallis Tower to the west, and Madliena Tower to the east. Construction of the tower cost 408 scudi. The tower follows the standard design of the De Redin towers, having a square plan with two floors and a turret on the roof.

In 1741, a fougasse was built close to the tower, and it was believed to have been lost until it was rediscovered during road works in the area in 2014.[3]

The tower was no longer operational by 1743, however in 1792 the Congregation of War ordered that the tower be rearmed with a 3-pounder iron gun. The British built a small guard room in front of the tower, but this is now in ruins.[4]

Present day

Saint Mark's Tower is managed by Din l-Art Ħelwa, who restored it in 1997. The tower is in good condition, but the area around it has been criticized for the amount of litter left there, mainly from people camping on the peninsula.[5]

The tower is open to the public by appointment.[6]

References
  1. Ġrajjet Malta - It-Tielet Ktieb (in Maltese) (4 ed.). Sliema: Department of Education. 2006. p. 81.
  2. Zammit, Vincent (1984). "Fortifications in the Middle Ages". Civilization. Ħamrun: PEG Ltd. 1: 33.
  3. Spiteri, Stephen C. (30 November 2014). "Qalet Marku gives up its Fougasse". MilitaryArchitecture.com. Archived from the original on 11 November 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  4. "Qalet Marku Tower, Bahar ic-Caghaq". Din l-Art Ħelwa. 6 October 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  5. Lippiett, Tom (10 June 2013). "The disgusting state of Qalet Marku". Times of Malta. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  6. "Malta's coastal watch towers". MaltaUncovered.com. 4 December 2009. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
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