Weekend plans sorted! 7 historical sites in Malta opening their doors to the public this Sunday
Ħal Millieri, Wignacourt Tower and the Red Tower, among others, will be open this Sunday 6th April.
This Sunday marks the first Sunday of April which means that, if you don't have any weekend plans, Din l-Art Helwa have got you covered!
On Sunday the 6th of April, Din l-Art Helwa will open the doors to seven historical sites, offering a unique glimpse into Malta’s past.
Msida Bastion Garden - opening from 09:30 to 12:00
Formerly known as the Msida Bastion Cemetery, this site served as Malta’s primary Protestant cemetery from 1806 to 1856, accommodating around 528 burials before Ta’ Braxia Cemetery opened. The cemetery, located in the bastion formerly called St Philip’s Bastion, which was part of Grand Master Antoine de Paule’s outer defence works commissioned in 1635, includes notable burials such as Mikiel Anton Vassalli, the father of the Maltese language.
After World War Two bombings and years of neglect, including vandalism and weather damage, the site was restored in 1988, with the effort spearheaded by volunteers from Din l-Art Helwa and later revived by Dr Andy Welsh. The restoration, which received Europa Nostra's Silver Medal in 2002, was completed with the addition of a small Museum of Maltese Burial Practices in 2004.
Ħal Millieri – opening from 09:00 to 12:00
Consecrated around 1480, this Maltese medieval church stands on the site of a thirteenth-century predecessor. With dimensions of 5m by 7m, the chapel boasts a typical medieval structure divided into five bays by pointed arches. Its unique charm lies in frescoes dating back to the mid-fifteenth century, depicting saints, including St George twice slaying a dragon. A restoration initiative in 1968 unveiled historical artefacts, leading to the establishment of a trust in 1970. Ongoing efforts involve cleaning, conservation, and monitoring of the frescoes' condition.
Mamo Tower – opening from 09:30 to 12:00
Contrary to popular belief, Mamo Tower, situated between Zurrieq and Marsascala in Malta, was not erected by the Order of St John but by the Mamo family in the mid-seventeenth century. Functioning as a fortified family stronghold, the tower was strategically positioned to defend against Ottoman threats from St Thomas’ Bay.
With a unique cross-shaped design resembling the cross of St Andrew, the tower features a bomb-proof central dome-roofed room leading to four smaller arms. Despite only one floor, it served as a coastal tower, enabling communication with neighbouring private towers.
In 1988, Din l-Art Ħelwa assumed guardianship, initiating extensive restoration efforts over the years. The tower, with a two-meter ditch housing a Roman tomb, is now a venue for small functions and heritage tours, attracting visitors to explore its rich historical legacy.
Wignacourt Tower – opening from 10:00 to 12:45
Built in 1610 by Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt, this tower stands as Malta's oldest surviving coastal defence post, designed by the Maltese architect Vittorio Cassar. Initially serving as the northernmost defensive outpost until the construction of St Agatha’s Tower in Mellieha in 1649, it later saw enhancements such as the addition of a coastal battery in 1715.
Over the centuries, it underwent various transformations, serving as a police station and telegraph post. Leased to Din l-Art Helwa in 1970, the tower underwent extensive restoration led by architect Ray Vassallo between 1973-76 and again in 2014-2015.
Xutu Tower – opening from 10:00 to 12:00
Ta' Xutu Tower, a historic coastal watchtower in Wied iż-Żurrieq, Malta, was built in 1648 during the reign of Grand Master Jean Paul Lascaris de Castellar. Serving as a prototype for later towers, it played a vital role in Malta's coastal defense. The tower fell into disuse after World War II, but in 2013, Din l-Art Ħelwa took over its restoration, which included extensive repairs to its structure and the surrounding landscape. Thanks to sponsorship from the Malta Airport Foundation, the tower reopened to the public in 2019 and is now a popular site for visitors and events.
Bir Miftuh – opening from 09:30 to 12:30
Built around 1430, the Gudja Chapel stands as a remarkably well-preserved fifteenth-century parish church in Malta. Initially declared a parish in 1436, it served multiple villages until 1676 when the Gudja Parish Church was erected. The chapel boasts a free-standing, plain rectangular design, measuring approximately eleven by fourteen meters.
Damaged during World War II, the chapel underwent restoration in 1942 and further refurbishment in 1970. Recent restoration work extends to the churchyard, completed in 2004.
Red Tower - opening from 10:00 to 17:00
St Agatha’s Tower, or the Red Tower, spectacularly situated at l-Ahrax tal-Mellieha on the Marfa ridge, overlooks Ghadira Bay, the bird sanctuary, and the straits between Comino and Gozo. Built by the Knights of St John between 1647 and 1649, the tower replaced an earlier watch-post listed in the Militia List of 1417. Offering a critical line of communication with other towers and Mdina, it provided views of Comino’s Santa Marija Tower, the White Tower at L-Armier, and Lippija Tower above Gnejna Bay. The tower’s name comes from an altar dedicated to St Agatha, a martyr venerated for protection against invasion and plague. Later painted red, it became known as the Red Tower, a vital landmark for navigation. By the 1970s, the tower had fallen into disrepair, prompting Din l-Art Helwa to lobby for its restoration.
The tower, square with turrets at each corner, was engineered to resist cannon fire and serve as a signal station. It housed a chapel, a water cistern, and garrisoned soldiers armed to defend Mellieha Bay. During the French invasion of 1798, it remained operational under French commanders but later fell under British use. Throughout the 20th century, it served roles during both World Wars, including as a signal station and coastal watch post. By 1999, with significant corporate sponsorship, Din l-Art Helwa restored the tower, rebuilding its turrets, staircase, and walls, and reopened it in 2001. Further exterior restorations were conducted in 2007 to preserve its historical integrity.
Today, the tower remains a cultural and environmental icon. Managed by Din l-Art Helwa under a guardianship deed, it is open to the public and integrated into broader conservation efforts, including the Mediterranean woodland rehabilitation nearby. Regular maintenance ensures its preservation, with hydraulic lime plaster protecting its facades.
Whether you're drawn to medieval charm, historical significance or panoramic views, there's something for every history enthusiast - pick one or go on a culture hop!
Which of these piques your interest?