De Redin towers

{{Seealso|Barbary slave trade}}

File:Malta - Qrendi - Wied iz-Zurrieq - Triq Congreve - Torri ta’ Xutu 03 ies.jpg, which was built in 1638.]]

The Spanish knight Martin de Redin was elected Grand Master of the Order of St. John on 17 August 1657. In March 1658, he contributed 6428 scudi{{cite web|title=Malta's coastal watch towers|url=http://www.maltauncovered.com/places-of-interest/malta-coastal-watch-towers/|website=MaltaUncovered.com|accessdate=31 May 2015|date=4 December 2009}} for the construction of 13 new watchtowers to strengthen the existing coastal defence system, which consisted mainly of the Wignacourt and Lascaris towers.

The design of the new towers was based on the Sciuta Tower, one of the Lascaris towers, which had been built in Wied iż-Żurrieq in 1638.{{cite news|title=Wied iz Zurrieq tower gets much-needed clean-out|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140907/local/wied-iz-zurrieq-tower-gets-much-needed-clean-out.534755|accessdate=31 May 2015|work=Times of Malta|date=7 September 2014}} Each tower had a square base with two floors, with a turret on the roof. The entrance was on the top floor, and was reached by a retractable ladder. The upper room was used as the living quarters for the garrison of four men, while the bottom room was used for storage. Two cannon were mounted on the roof of each tower.

Each tower also had two neighbouring towers in its line of sight, so that signals could be sent from one tower to another, in order to maintain a communication link between Gozo and the Grand Harbour. The signals consisted of smoke or cannon shots by day, or fire by night.

Construction of the first tower, located at Għajn Ħadid in Selmun, began in March 1658, and it was complete within two months. Twelve other towers were built within the following year, with the last tower being complete by July 1659.

In 1661, shortly after the death of de Redin, Mġarr ix-Xini Tower was built on the island of Gozo. Its design is very similar to the thirteen towers and it is sometimes considered to be one of the De Redin towers.{{cite web|last1=Spiteri|first1=Stephen C.|title=Mgarr ix-Xini Tower, Gozo|url=http://www.militaryarchitecture.com/index.php/Fortifications/mgarr-ix-xini-tower-gozo.html|website=MilitaryArchitecture.com|accessdate=31 May 2015|date=30 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151203190108/http://www.militaryarchitecture.com/index.php/Fortifications/mgarr-ix-xini-tower-gozo.html |archive-date=3 December 2015}}

The De Redin towers were the last series of coastal watchtowers to be built in Malta. The only tower built after them was Isopu Tower, which was completed in 1667.{{cite web|last1=Debono|first1=Charles|title=Coastal Towers|url=http://www.mellieha.com/places_interest/fortifications/coastal_towers.htm|website=Mellieha.com|accessdate=31 May 2015|archive-date=10 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510233149/http://www.mellieha.com/places_interest/fortifications/coastal_towers.htm|url-status=dead}}

In around 1715, as part of a programme to improve Malta's coastal defences, Aħrax Tower and Saint Julian's Tower were upgraded into coastal batteries. A gun platform was built around the seaward face of the tower, which served as a blockhouse. Both batteries still survive, although they are either in a dilapidated state or extensively altered.{{cite web|last1=Mifsud|first1=Simon|title=Għajn Ħadid Tower and Aħrax Tower|url=http://www.militaryarchitecture.com/index.php/Fortifications/ghajn-hadid-tower-and-ahrax-tower.html|website=MilitaryArchitecture.com|accessdate=31 May 2015|date=24 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823105428/http://www.militaryarchitecture.com/index.php/Fortifications/ghajn-hadid-tower-and-ahrax-tower.html |archive-date=23 August 2017}}

Fougasses were dug in the ground near some of the towers in the 1740s. Today, fougasses still exist near Madliena Tower and Saint Mark's Tower. In the 1760s, entrenchments were also built close to some towers, but many of these were demolished in the early 20th century. A small mortar battery was built close to Delimara Tower in 1793.{{cite web|title=Delimara Gas and Power Combined Cycle Gas Turbine and Liquefied Natural Gas receiving, storage and re-gasification facilities – Environmental Impact Assessment – Appendix Two Volume One|url=http://www.mepa.org.mt/EIACMS/documents/Delimara/B02i_CCGT-LNG_DPS_EIS_App02i_ESRs_A4_Simplex.pdf|website=MEPA|publisher=ERSLI Consultants Ltd on behalf of Enemalta Corporation|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329025345/http://www.mepa.org.mt/EIACMS/documents/Delimara/B02i_CCGT-LNG_DPS_EIS_App02i_ESRs_A4_Simplex.pdf|archivedate=29 March 2015|pages=26–28|date=20 December 2013}}

The De Redin towers did not play a role during the French capture of Malta in 1798, since by this time they were obsolete. However, St. Julian's Tower was involved in the subsequent Maltese uprising, when it was captured by Maltese insurgents.{{cite journal|last1=Spiteri|first1=Stephen C.|title=Maltese 'siege' batteries of the blockade 1798–1800|journal=Arx – Online Journal of Military Architecture and Fortification|date=May 2008|issue=6|page=15|url=http://www.militaryarchitecture.com/images/stories/Arx/arx6-2008.pdf|accessdate=31 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126232114/http://www.militaryarchitecture.com/images/stories/Arx/arx6-2008.pdf |archive-date=26 November 2016}}

The upper floor of Għajn Ħadid Tower collapsed on 12 October 1856 during an earthquake, but the ruins of its base have survived to this day.

Most of the other towers were decommissioned in the 19th century. The only exception was Madliena Tower, which was modified to have a role similar to the Martello towers. A battery was built nearby in 1908, and it remained in use until World War II.{{cite web|last1=Spiteri|first1=Stephen C.|title=Madliena Tower – Malta's 'Martello' Tower|url=http://www.militaryarchitecture.com/index.php/Fortifications/madliena-tower-maltas-martello-tower.html|website=MilitaryArchitecture.com|accessdate=31 May 2015|date=11 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019035044/http://www.militaryarchitecture.com/index.php/Fortifications/madliena-tower-maltas-martello-tower.html |archive-date=19 October 2015}}

In the late 19th or early 20th centuries, the British demolished Bengħisa Tower, Delimara Tower and Żonqor Tower to clear the line of fire of new forts or batteries.{{cite book|last1=Zammit|first1=Vincent|title=Il-Gran Mastri – Ġabra ta' Tagħrif dwar l-Istorja ta' Malta fi Żmienhom – L-Ewwel Volum 1530–1680|date=1992|publisher=Valletta Publishing & Promotion Co. Ltd.|location=Valletta|pages=234–236|language=mt}}

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| footer = Madliena Tower in 2011 and 2014, before and after restoration

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By the end of the 20th century, there were nine surviving De Redin towers. Most of these were intact but rather dilapidated. Triq il-Wiesgħa Tower and Ħamrija Tower were in a very bad state, and were in danger of collapsing.

The first restoration work was carried out by Din l-Art Ħelwa on Għallis Tower and Saint Mark's Tower between 1995 and 1997. Since 2008, Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna has restored Triq il-Wiesgħa Tower and Madliena Tower. Ħamrija Tower was also restored by Heritage Malta, and it now forms part of the Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra Archaeological Park. The last remaining towers to be restored were Aħrax Tower, restored by Din I-Art Ħelwa in 2021, and Wardija Tower, restored by the Restoration Directorate in 2022.{{Cite web |title=Torri l-Abjad gets a new lease of life after three-year restoration - The Malta Independent |url=https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2021-06-09/local-news/Torri-l-Abjad-gets-a-new-lease-of-life-after-three-year-restoration-6736234187 |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=www.independent.com.mt}}{{Cite web |title=Fantastic news! Zurrieq's 360-year-old Wardija Tower gets FULLY restored |url=https://www.guidememalta.com/en/fantastic-news-zurrieq-s-360-year-old-wardija-tower-gets-fully-restored |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=www.guidememalta.com |language=en}}

Today, Għallis Tower and Saint Mark's Tower are open by appointment, and Saint Julian's Tower is open as a restaurant.

| width = 600

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| caption = De Redin towers

| label = Għajn Ħadid Tower

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| lon_deg = 14.385

| label2 = Għallis Tower

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| lon2_deg = 14.434417

| label3 = St. Mark's Tower

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| lat3_deg = 35.946472

| lon3_deg = 14.453333

| label4 = Madliena Tower

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| lon4_deg = 14.473083

| label5 = St. Julian's Tower

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| lat5_deg = 35.917806

| lon5_deg = 14.499194

| label6 = Aħrax Tower

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| lat6_deg = 35.995472

| lon6_deg = 14.3645

| label7 = Bengħisa Tower

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| lon7_deg = 14.539722

| label8 = Xrobb l-Għaġin Tower

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| lat8_deg = 35.841111

| lon8_deg = 14.57125

| label9 = Triq il-Wiesgħa Tower

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| lat9_deg = 35.877972

| lon9_deg = 14.564278

| label10 = Delimara Tower

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| lat10_deg = 35.820417

| lon10_deg = 14.560972

| label11 = Żonqor Tower

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| lat11_deg = 35.867556

| lon11_deg = 14.574111

| label12 = Ħamrija Tower

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| lat12_deg = 35.8245

| lon12_deg = 14.439944

| label13 = Wardija Tower

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| lat13_deg = 35.819306

| lon13_deg = 14.473111

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File:Mdina-torre-dello-stendardo.JPG, an 18th-century tower whose design is similar to the De Redin towers]]

Over the years, several structures were built with a design similar to or inspired by the De Redin towers. One of the earliest examples is the Torre dello Standardo, a tower located near Mdina's Main Gate, forming part of the city's fortifications. The tower was used for signalling purposes, to communicate with the coastal watchtowers. It was built in 1725 by the architect Charles François de Mondion, on the site of the medieval Torre Mastra (which also had the same function), as part of a project to restore the city after the 1693 Sicily earthquake. Its design is similar to the De Redin towers, but it is of finer construction, with more importance being given to decorative elements such as escutcheons.{{cite web|title=Torre dello Standardo – Mdina |url=http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1457.pdf |website=National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands |accessdate=4 July 2015 |date=28 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705060341/http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1457.pdf |archivedate=5 July 2015 }} Today, the tower is in good condition and is used as a tourist information centre.{{cite web|title=Info Offices|url=http://www.visitmalta.com/en/info-offices|website=visitMALTA.com|accessdate=4 July 2015}}

File:Torri_Falkun.jpeg

Another structure whose design was also similar to the De Redin towers was the Falkun Tower ({{langx|mt|Torri Falkun}}), located at the Montekristo Estates in Ħal Farruġ, limits of Siġġiewi. This tower, along with other parts of Montekristo Estates, was constructed illegally without the necessary permits.{{cite news|last1=Xuereb|first1=Matthew|title=Mepa, armed police swoop on Polidano land – Court puts stop to raid by Mepa|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20131129/local/Mepa-armed-police-swoop-on-Polidano-land.496662|accessdate=4 July 2015|work=Times of Malta|date=29 November 2013}} It was supposed to have been demolished in November 2013, but the courts stopped the planning authority MEPA from carrying out the demolition.{{cite news|title=Court stops Mepa demolishing illegal Polidano structures – Government: Abuse will not be tolerated – Entrance blocked by heavy vehicles|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20131128/local/mepa-demolishing-illegal-polidano-structures-at-hal-farrug.496653|accessdate=4 July 2015|work=Times of Malta|date=28 November 2013}} Since the failed attempt at demolishing the tower and the other illegal structures, new roofing works were carried out on the tower,{{cite news|title=Montekristo claims illegal sites 'outside' trade fair area|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-07-09/news/montekristo-claims-illegal-sites-outside-trade-fair-area-5771198465/|accessdate=4 July 2015|work=The Malta Independent|date=9 July 2014}} while more illegal structures were constructed elsewhere in Montekristo Estates.{{cite news|last1=Micallef|first1=Mark|title=Illegal development at Montekristo continues|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140803/local/Illegal-development-at-Montekristo-continues.530301|accessdate=4 July 2015|work=Times of Malta|date=3 August 2014}} The tower began to be dismantled according to MEPA orders in April 2016.{{cite news|title='Falcon Tower', part of Montekristo Estates, being demolished on instruction by Planning Authority|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2016-04-28/local-news/Falcon-Tower-part-of-Montekristo-Estates-being-demolished-on-instruction-by-Planning-Authority-6736157041|work=The Malta Independent|date=28 April 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428202309/http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2016-04-28/local-news/Falcon-Tower-part-of-Montekristo-Estates-being-demolished-on-instruction-by-Planning-Authority-6736157041|archivedate=28 April 2016}} Another tower was built in 2016 in Gozo as a rural structure, similar to the coastal towers but located inland.{{Cite web|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/environment/townscapes/72061/tower_rises_instead_of_rubble_in_gozo|title = Tower rises instead of rubble in Gozo}}

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The emblem of the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) consists of a gold De Redin tower on a red background. The origins of this emblem lie in the AFM's predecessor, the Malta Land Force (MLF). The MLF's emblem originally consisted of a three-dimensional De Redin tower on a French grey background, which was later changed to a red background. This emblem was designed shortly after the founding of the MLF in 1965 by Captain Claude M. Gaffiero. It was retained when the MLF changed its name to the AFM in 1973.{{cite web|last1=Attard |first1=David P. |title=The De Redin Tower |url=http://afm.gov.mt/file.aspx?f=496 |website=Armed Forces of Malta |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150531095315/http://afm.gov.mt/file.aspx?f=496 |archivedate=31 May 2015 |url-status=dead }}

A symbol of a De Redin tower is also featured on pennant of the Commander of the AFM,{{cite web|title=Flags, Symbols and their uses|url=https://www.gov.mt/en/About%20Malta/Pages/Flags-Symbols-and-their-use.aspx|website=Government of Malta|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429065201/http://www.gov.mt/en/About%20Malta/Pages/Flags-Symbols-and-their-use.aspx|archivedate=29 April 2015}} on the emblem of the Air Wing, on the National Colours, and on various badges of rank.{{cite web|title=AFM Colours|url=http://www.afm.gov.mt/afmcolours|website=Armed Forces of Malta|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204041508/http://www.afm.gov.mt/afmcolours|archivedate=4 February 2014|url-status=dead}}

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File:Malta - Valletta - Pjazza Kastilja - Borza ta' Malta 03 ies.jpg]]

The coat of arms of the Malta Stock Exchange features two gold De Redin towers on either side of the shield, representing security and surveillance.

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De Redin towers also feature on the flag and coat of arms of Pembroke, a town on the northern coast of Malta. The coat of arms consists of two crossed swords in the centre, with the thirteen De Redin towers around the border, all in gold on a red background. The sword and towers represent Pembroke's connection with the military, since the town developed out of a British Army barracks that was converted into housing estates.{{cite web|title=Informazzjoni ġenerali|url=http://www.pembroke.gov.mt/Default.asp?selMMSec=0&selMMCat=32|website=Pembroke Local Council|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150531121244/http://www.pembroke.gov.mt/Default.asp?selMMSec=0&selMMCat=32|archivedate=31 May 2015|language=mt}}{{cite web|title=Village of Pembroke (Malta)|url=http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/mt-46.html|website=Flags of the World|accessdate=31 May 2015|date=9 December 2013}}

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{{reflist|30em}}

• {{Citation

| last = Spiteri

| first = Stephen C.

| title = The Knights' Fortifications

| place= Valletta

| publisher = Book Distributors Ltd.

| year = 1989

}}

• {{Citation

| last = Hughes

| first = Quentin

| title = Fortresses of the Knights

| place = Valletta

| publisher = Said International

| year = 2001

}}

{{commons category}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oY-cSBqLgk Youtube video about the De Redin Towers]

{{Historic Watch Towers of Malta}}

Category:Fortified towers in Malta