Red Tower (St Agatha's Tower)

A squat square fort with corner turrets, painted bright red against the white limestone of the surrounding garrigue, the Red Tower stands on the L-Aħrax plateau north-west of Mellieha. Inside there is a small exhibition on the Knights' coastal defences and you can climb to the roof for an unbeatable view: the whole sweep of the Comino channel, the bays of L-Aħrax, and on a clear day the cliffs of Gozo.

It is managed by Din l-Art Helwa, the Maltese national trust. Opening times are limited (mornings only, closed Sundays). Combine with a walk on to the cliffs at L-Aħrax tip and back along the shore via Slugs Bay.

things to do sight architecture
A story
Built by Grand Master Lascaris in 1647–49 to defend the northern approaches to Malta, the Red Tower is the only one of the Lascaris series that still stands. It is painted that particular dark red on the orders of the Knights themselves — visible from Gozo, Comino, and as far away as the cliffs of southern Sicily on a clear day, a deliberate statement that the strait was guarded.