Wignacourt Tower

Wignacourt's tower to defend the Maltese coastline

Wignacourt Tower, is located in St. Paul’s Bay and was built in 1610 by Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt. It’s the most ancient coastal defence fortification that endured the active Maltese history.

Wignacourt tower was the first in a chain of a towers built around the Island. The original entry was on the first floor and could be accessed over a drawbridge up a set of steps. Sadly, the stairs were removed in the 1950s, and the ground floor entrance was added later.

Until 1649, this tower was the only fortification in the North of Malta, prior to the construction of St. Agatha's Tower in Mellieha. In 1970, the Tower was leased to Din l-Art Helwa, who restored it and made it suitable for public visits.