Mġarr ix-Xini Tower, Gozo And Comino Travel Guide

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Explore Gozo's coastal heritage at Mġarr ix-Xini Tower, a 17th-century watchtower offering panoramic views and a glimpse into Malta's past.

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Mġarr ix-Xini Tower

Overlooking the picturesque Mġarr ix-Xini Bay, this 17th-century coastal watchtower stands as a testament to Gozo's strategic importance and turbulent past. Restored by Wirt Għawdex, the tower offers stunning views and a glimpse into the island's history.

A brief summary to Mġarr ix-Xini Tower

278F+VPP, Mġarr ix-Xini, Ghajnsielem, MT
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From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Mġarr ix-Xini Tower.

Check the opening days with Wirt Għawdex before visiting, as the tower is not always open to the public.
Wear comfortable shoes for the walk from the bay to the tower.
Visit during sunset for breathtaking views and photo opportunities.
Bring water and snacks, as there are limited facilities nearby.

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Getting There

Walking

From Mġarr ix-Xini Bay, a recently renovated and scenic path leads directly to the tower. The walk is short but offers stunning views of the area.
Public Transport

The nearest bus stop is approximately 1.8 km away from Mġarr ix-Xini. From the Gozo Ferry Terminal, you can take bus 301. However, note that this leaves you with a 22-minute walk along a road that may be busy. A taxi from the ferry terminal is a more direct option.
Taxi

Taxis are available from the Gozo Ferry Terminal and other locations on Gozo. A taxi ride from the Citadel to Mġarr ix-Xini Tower will take about 15 minutes and cost approximately €15-€20. Confirm the price before starting your journey.

Discover more about Mġarr ix-Xini Tower

Mġarr ix-Xini Tower, or 'It-Torri ta' Mġarr ix-Xini' in Maltese, is the largest of the coastal watchtowers erected by the Knights of Malta on Gozo. Completed in 1661, the tower was designed by Mederico Blondel and built at the expense of the local Universitas. Its strategic location watches over the entrance to Mġarr ix-Xini Bay, a secluded inlet with a rich, though somber, history.The bay's past includes serving as a refuge for the Knights' galleys and, more infamously, as the site where Turkish forces loaded captured Gozitans onto their ships during the devastating raid of 1551. The tower itself was built to safeguard the inlet from such incursions. Its design, similar to the De Redin towers on mainland Malta, features a square plan with two floors. However, it uniquely includes a flight of steps and a drawbridge at its entrance, unlike other towers that relied on retractable ladders.Originally manned by a castellan and a bombardier, the tower could communicate with the Comino Tower and Santa Cecilja Tower. Though its permanent manning ceased by 1785, it was rearmed and used in later conflicts. Today, the restored tower is open to the public on certain days, managed by Wirt Għawdex, offering visitors a chance to explore its interior, including the guardroom, powder magazine, and gun platform, and to appreciate panoramic views of the bay and surrounding landscape.A recently renovated path connects the bay to the tower, making for an enjoyable walk. The bay itself is popular with swimmers and divers, featuring underwater caves within the cliff faces.