Torri Hamrija (Torri ta’ Rsejjen )

The towers around our coasts are historic and artistic treasures, built in the seventeenth century by the knights to fortify our islands and to act as watchtowers.

These towers were a serious attempt to fortify the Maltese coastline again future invasions and the continual raids by Turkish’s pirates and raiders.

“Torri Hamrija” medieval tower is another of the series of coastal towers built in 1659, by Grand master De Redin.

Contrary to the towers constructed by his processor Grand Master Lascaris, none of the De Redin towers were designed to resist invaders. Their primary purpose was intended for signaling purposes and therefore their height was more important than their size.

The towers watchmen or “Dejma” communicated with each other by the waving of red flags during daytime and lighting of bonfires at night in the event that any invaders were sited.

The Torri Hamrija lies between the temples of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra and overlooks Qrendi’s rugged coastline.

A marble plaque above the tower’s entrance that is situated on the first floor reads:-

FR DON MARTINVS DE REDIN MMR
MELATÆ GAVLOS PRINCEPS

POTENS CONSILIO ET OPERE, SVAS CRVCES DVODECIMÆ
HVIC SPEVLÆ CONFIXIT QVÆ HOSTIBVS PERPETVV
TERROREM, SVBDITIS SALVATEM POVICEANTVRAN 1659