Gauci Tower

Gauci Tower
Torri Gauci
Naxxar, Malta

View of Gauci Tower
Coordinates 35°55′11.5″N 14°26′33.1″E / 35.919861°N 14.442528°E / 35.919861; 14.442528
Type Tower
Site information
Owner Private
Open to
the public		 No
Condition Intact
Site history
Built before 1548
Built by Gauci family
Materials Limestone

Gauci Tower (Maltese: Torri Gauci, Italian: Torre Gauci) is a tower in Naxxar, Malta. It was built before 1548 by the Gauci family. Today, the tower is in good condition.

History

Gauci Tower was built sometime before 1548 by Francesco Gauci to protect his family from corsair raids. Construction cost a total of 400 scudi. In 1548, it was requisitioned by the Order of Saint John, who ruled the Maltese Islands, to house the Captain of the Naxxar militia. Gauci petitioned against this move, and the tower was returned to him on 16 May 1548. Eventually, the Order built the nearby Captain's Tower to house the Captain of the militia.

The tower is quite small, and it has a square plan, with its lower half being slightly more pronounced. A number of box machicolations are located at the crest of its high parapet. It also has musketry loopholes and vision slits. A townhouse, which was also built by Gauci, is located next to the tower.[1]

By the late 17th century, Gauci Tower had lost most of its defensive value. The Chapel of St. Paul was built in front of it in 1696.[2]

Present day

Plaque on the house adjacent to the tower

Today, Gauci Tower is in good condition. It is privately owned and is not open to the public.[3]

Further reading

References

  1. ↑ "Naxxar's Torre Gauci". Times of Malta. 28 February 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  2. ↑ Spiteri, Stephen C. "Naxxar and its fortifications". MilitaryArchitecture.com. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  3. ↑ "Gauci Tower" (PDF). National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
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