Sciuta Tower

Sciuta Tower (Maltese: Torri ta' Xuta), also known as Sciutu Tower (Maltese: Torri ta' Xutu) or Wied iż-Żurrieq Tower (Maltese: Torri ta' Wied iż-Żurrieq), is a small watchtower in Qrendi, Malta. It was completed in 1638 as the fifth of the Lascaris towers. The tower was restored by Din l-Art Ħelwa.

Sciuta Tower
Torri ta' Xutu
Part of the Lascaris towers
Qrendi, Malta
Sciuta Tower
Coordinates35°49′9.62″N 14°27′12.97″E
TypeCoastal watchtower
Site information
OwnerGovernment of Malta
Controlled byDin l-Art Ħelwa
Open to
the public		Yes
ConditionIntact
Site history
Built1638
Built byOrder of Saint John
In use1638–1873
1940s
MaterialsLimestone
Battles/warsWorld War II

History

Sciutu Tower (aka locally as Torri ta’ Xutu and Torri Sciuto) was built in 1637–8 in Wied iż-Żurrieq, located within the Qrendi boundaries, on the site of a medieval watch post.[1] It served as the prototype for the De Redin towers, which were built between 1658 and 1659.[2]

After the British took over Malta in 1800, Sciutu Tower remained in use and was manned by the Royal Malta Fencible Regiment and later the Royal Malta Fencible Artillery. It was abandoned in 1873 but was manned by the Coast Police once again during World War II. The tower subsequently used as a police station until 2002. An original cannon dating back to the Order's rule can still be found on the tower's roof.

Present day
The tower viewed from the east

In March 2013, Din l-Art Ħelwa was entrusted by the Government with the conservation of this tower for a period of 10 years.[3]

In September 2014, the tower and the surrounding area was cleaned of waste and debris by Din l-Art Ħelwa volunteers as well as the Qrendi Scouts.[4] The tower underwent restoration conservation until 2016, and was inaugurated and opened to the public in 2019.[5][6]

Further reading

References
  1. Zammit, Vincent (1984). "Fortifications in the Middle Ages". Civilization. Ħamrun: PEG Ltd. 1: 33.
  2. Attard, David P. "The De Redin Tower". Armed Forces of Malta. Archived from the original on 31 May 2015.
  3. "Din l-Art Helwa to manage Wied iż-Żurrieq Tower". Times of Malta. 6 March 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  4. "Wied iz Zurrieq tower gets much-needed clean-out". Times of Malta. 7 September 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  5. "Corporate Responsibility". Malta International Airport. Archived from the original on 8 April 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
  6. "TA' XUTU TOWER IN WIED IŻ-ŻURRIEQ IS RESTORED AND OPEN FOR VISITORS". Din l-Art Ħelwa. Retrieved 22 March 2020.


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