The lovely Bubaqra Tower, located in the town of Zurrieq in the southern part of Malta, is said to have been erected at the end of the sixteenth-century. Yes, that’s over 400 years ago!
According to the Mysteries of MALTA Community page on Facebook, while the building could have been used as a guard tower, the suggestion is that it was built as a private residence for a Chaplin of the Order of St John, a man called Don Matteo Pisani.
During the time of its construction, it was actually considered to be quite dangerous to live so far away from a fortification. Therefore, the tower had to have its very own defence system… you know, in case of an attack!
Interestingly, it is rumoured that the tower was once used by the Knights of St John to meet and court young ladies. These meetings were said to be of an illicit kind. In fact, it is commonly known that many knights had mistresses and even illegitimate children while in Malta.
To make matters saucier, it’s also been rumoured that the Zurrieq parish priest himself was paid to organise meetings between the knights and their mistresses! But let’s pretend you didn’t hear that from us…
While stories like these are not uncommon, especially for Maltese historians, it is important to note that there is no evidence that this actually happened, only whispers, rumours, and tales of course!
Flashforward a couple of years and during World War II, the tower was taken into the hands of the British military authorities. However, it has since then been restored to its original state, that of a private residence.