Local heritage NGO Din l-Art Ħelwa is urging the government to take immediate action to dismantle and relocate the historic Għajn Tuffieħa Tower to a safer location along the same promontory.

The call comes as the 17th-century coastal tower faces imminent collapse due to movement in the surrounding cliff face, and just after the surrounding area of the tower was completely closed off. 

The iconic structure, part of Malta’s coastal fortifications, has been hoarded off for safety reasons as the ground beneath it becomes increasingly unstable.

Relocation, according to the NGO, is the only viable solution to ensure the tower’s survival while preserving its historical and cultural value.

Patrick Calleja, Executive President of Din l-Art Ħelwa, highlighted the urgency of the situation, referencing a recent decision to dismantle part of the 19th-century British barracks at Fort Chambray in Gozo to improve views for newly proposed residential units.

“Surely, the Għajn Tuffieħa tower deserves to be dismantled and relocated for more serious, rational, historical, and cultural reasons,” Calleja stated.

Originally constructed in the 17th century, the Għajn Tuffieħa Tower has stood as a sentinel over one of Malta’s most picturesque coastlines. Its potential collapse would mark a significant loss for the country’s heritage, prompting Din l-Art Ħelwa to emphasise the importance of acting before it’s too late.

The NGO is calling for the relocation to be handled with care, ensuring the tower retains its prominence as part of the Għajn Tuffieħa landscape while being placed on stable ground.

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