Lippija Tower
Torri ta' Lippija
Part of the Lascaris towers
Mġarr, Malta
View of Lippija Tower
Coordinates35°55′20.25″N 14°20′45.65″E / 35.9222917°N 14.3460139°E / 35.9222917; 14.3460139
TypeCoastal watchtower
Height11 m
Site information
OwnerGovernment of Malta
ConditionIntact
Site history
Built1637
Built byOrder of Saint John
MaterialsLimestone

Lippija Tower (Maltese: Torri ta' Lippija), also known as Ġnejna Tower (Maltese: Torri tal-Ġnejna),[1] is a small watchtower in Ġnejna Bay, limits of Mġarr, Malta. It was completed in 1637 as the first of the Lascaris towers. Today, the tower is in good condition.

History

Lippija Tower overlooking Ġnejna Bay

Lippija Tower was built in 1637 on the edge of Wardija Ridge overlooking Ġnejna Bay on the northwest coast of Malta. The tower has Għajn Tuffieħa and Nadur Towers in its line of sight. The construction of the tower was personally financed by Giovanni Paolo Lascaris.

The tower was built on the site of a medieval watch post.[2] It was designed by the Italian architect Vincenzo Maculani. It is almost identical to Għajn Tuffieħa Tower, having a square plan and two floors topped by a flat roof with a parapet. Each floor has a single room, and access to the upper floor was originally by a wooden ladder.

Originally the tower was known as Torre del Migiarro and had a chapel dedicated to Santa Agatha.[3]

Present day

By the early 2000s, Lippija Tower was abandoned and it was in danger of collapsing. It was restored by the Ministry of Resources and Infrastructure in 2003, and it is now in good condition.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Agius, Raymond (May 2012). "Walk around the coast of Malta - 'from tower to tower'". agius.com. Archived from the original on 8 September 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
  2. ↑ Zammit, Vincent (1984). "Fortifications in the Middle Ages". Civilization. Ħamrun: PEG Ltd. 1: 33.
  3. ↑ Malta illustrata ovvero Descrizione di Malta. p. 343.
  4. ↑ Cini, George (21 July 2003). "Lippija tower restoration taken in hand". Times of Malta. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
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