Santa Cecilia Tower

It-Torri ta' Santa Ċeċilja

Għajnsielem, Gozo, Malta

View of Santa Cecilia Tower

Site information
Type| Tower
Owner| Private
Open to
the public| No
Condition| Intact
Location
Coordinates| 36°1′44.8″N 14°16′26.2″E﻿ / ﻿36.029111°N 14.273944°E﻿ / 36.029111; 14.273944
Site history
Built| 1613
Built by| Fra Bernardo Macedonia
Materials| Limestone

Santa Cecilia Tower (Maltese: It-Torri ta' Santa Ċeċilja or ta' Santa Ċilja) is a tower in Għajnsielem, Gozo, Malta. It was built in 1613 by a member of the Order of St. John, and it could relay messages across the island. The tower remains in good condition and is a private residence.[1]

## History

[edit]

Santa Cecilia Tower was built in 1613 by Fra Bernardo Macedonia, Commander of Artillery of the Order of St. John.[2][3] It got its name from the nearby Santa Cecilia Chapel, the oldest surviving chapel on Gozo.[2] The chapel eventually became an ancillary building to the tower.[4][5]

Santa Cecilia Chapel, which is located close to the tower

The tower was able to communicate with the batteries at Ramla Bay as well as Mġarr ix-Xini Tower, so it could relay messages across Gozo. It was also able to provide refuge for the local population in case of a corsair raid.[6][7]

Today, the tower is a private residence. It was included on the Antiquities List of 1925.[8] The tower is now scheduled as a Grade 1 monument,[4] and it is also listed on the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands.[3]

## Architecture

[edit]

Santa Cecilia Tower is a small rectangular structure made of limestone. It is rather plain, but it has finials and other decorative features.[3]

## References

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Santa Cecilia Tower.

1. ^ Vella, Fiona (14 October 2020). "Walk along Għajnsielem's historical route". Times of Malta. Archived from the original on 14 October 2020.
2. ^ a b Caruana, Joseph (2011). "Toponomi t'Għajnsielem (1)" (PDF). L-Imnara. 9 (4). Rivista tal-Għaqda Maltija tal-Folklor: 187–189\. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 April 2016.
3. ^ a b c "Sta Ċeċilja Tower" (PDF). National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands. 28 June 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 November 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
4. ^ a b "Santa Cecilia Medieval Chapel". Wirt Għawdex. Archived from the original on 6 April 2015.
5. ^ "Santa Ċeċilja – Kappella Medjevali f'Għawdex". schoolnet.gov.mt (in Maltese). Archived from the original on 20 June 2016.
6. ^ Graham, Jimmy (17 March 2015). "Le Crac". Archived from the original on 22 November 2015.
7. ^ Bezzina, Joseph. "Il-Kappella ta' Santa Ċeċilja - Għajnsielem Għawdex". kappellimaltin.com (in Maltese). Archived from the original on 15 May 2015.
8. ^ "Protection of Antiquities Regulations 21st November, 1932 Government Notice 402 of 1932, as Amended by Government Notices 127 of 1935 and 338 of 1939". Malta Environment and Planning Authority. Archived from the original on 19 April 2016.

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Historic watch towers of Malta

Associated with the Order of Saint John

Wignacourt towers|

* Wignacourt Tower
* St. Lucian Tower
* St. Thomas Tower
* Marsalforn Tower^
* St. Mary's Tower
* Santa Maria delle Grazie Tower^

Lascaris towers|

* Lippija Tower
* Għajn Tuffieħa Tower
* Blat Mogħża Tower^
* Nadur Tower
* Qawra Tower
* Sciuta Tower
* St. George's Tower
* St. Agatha's Tower
* Xlendi Tower
* Dwejra Tower

De Redin towers|

* Għajn Ħadid Tower^
* Għallis Tower
* St. Mark's Tower
* Madliena Tower
* St. Julian's Tower
* Aħrax Tower
* Bengħisa Tower^
* Xrobb l-Għaġin Tower^
* Triq il-Wiesgħa Tower
* Delimara Tower^
* Żonqor Tower^
* Ħamrija Tower
* Wardija Tower

Tour–Reduits|

* Fresnoy Redoubt^
* Spinola Redoubt^
* Vendôme Tower
* Marsalforn Tower^

Other Hospitaller towers|

* Captain's Tower
* Garzes Tower^
* Mġarr ix-Xini Tower
* Sopu Tower
* Tal-Wejter Tower
* Torre dello Standardo

Privately built|

* Xlejli Tower1
* Cavalier Tower1
* Gauci Tower
* Birkirkara Tower1
* Bubaqra Tower
* St. Paul's Tower
* Ingraw Tower^
* Santa Cecilia Tower
* Mamo Tower
* Gourgion Tower^
* Vincenti Tower

^ Demolished/destroyed
1 Builder unknown or uncertain

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