Gauci Tower
{{Short description|Tower in Malta}}
{{Infobox military installation
| name = Gauci Tower
| native_name = Torri Gauci
| image = Torri_Gauci.png
| caption = View of Gauci Tower
| type = Tower
| coordinates = {{coord|35.91987|14.44252|format=dms|type:landmark_region:MT|display=inline,title}}
| ownership = Private
| open_to_public = No
| built = before 1548
| used =
| builder = Gauci family
| materials = Limestone
| height =
| condition = Intact
| battles =
| events =
}}
Gauci Tower ({{langx|mt|Torri Gauci}}, {{langx|it|Torre Gauci}}) is a tower in Naxxar, Malta. It was built before 1548 by the Gauci family.
History
Gauci Tower was built sometime before 1548 by Francesco Gauci to protect his family from corsair raids. The construction cost a total of 400 scudi. In 1548, it was requisitioned by the Order of Saint John, who ruled the Maltese Islands, to house the Captain of the Naxxar militia. Gauci petitioned against this move, and the tower was returned to him on 16 May 1548. Eventually, the Order built the nearby Captain's Tower to house the Captain of the militia.
The tower is quite small, and has a square plan, with its lower half being slightly more pronounced. A number of box machicolations are located at the crest of its high parapet. It also has musketry loopholes and vision slits. A townhouse, also built by Gauci, is located next to the tower.{{cite news|title=Naxxar's Torre Gauci|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120228/environment/Naxxar-s-Torre-Gauci.408870|accessdate=25 July 2015|work=Times of Malta|date=28 February 2012}}
By the late 17th century, Gauci Tower had lost most of its defensive value. The Chapel of St. Paul was built in front of it in 1696.{{cite web|last1=Spiteri|first1=Stephen C.|title=Naxxar and its fortifications|url=http://www.militaryarchitecture.com/index.php/Fortifications/naxxar-and-its-fortifications.html|website=MilitaryArchitecture.com|accessdate=25 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120010200/http://www.militaryarchitecture.com/index.php/Fortifications/naxxar-and-its-fortifications.html |archive-date=20 January 2016}}
Further reading
- Women's Places (Itineraries). [https://web.archive.org/web/20160920231221/http://www.holobooks.co.uk/MaltaItineraryChapter19.pdf From Floriana to Naxxar via Sliema] (Ch 19). p. 391.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Gauci Tower}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20150923232359/http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1430.pdf National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands]
{{Historic Watch Towers of Malta}}
Category:Fortified towers in Malta
Category:Towers completed in the 16th century
Category:Limestone buildings in Malta
Category:National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands