Għajn Ħadid Tower - Selmun, Malta - Exposed Interior of the Ruined Watchtower

Looking down into the ruined interior of Għajn Ħadid Tower near Selmun, Malta, revealing thick limestone walls, small recessed openings and fallen masonry within the seventeenth-century coastal watchtower.

This photograph offers a view looking down into the surviving interior of Għajn Ħadid Tower, a ruined seventeenth-century coastal watchtower in the Selmun area near Mellieħa, northern Malta. The exposed chamber is enclosed by substantial limestone walls, constructed from carefully arranged stone blocks that have become weathered and irregular over time. Several small openings and recesses remain visible within the masonry, while cracks, displaced blocks and missing sections reveal the deteriorating condition of the structure. At the bottom of the chamber, loose stones and rubble have accumulated beneath the surviving walls. Bright sunlight illuminates the upper courses of limestone, creating a contrast with the darker, sheltered lower sections. Beyond the broken upper edges, patches of rocky ground and Mediterranean shrubs indicate the tower’s exposed rural setting. Għajn Ħadid Tower, historically known as Torre di Salomone, was built in 1658 during the rule of Grand Master Martin de Redin of the Order of St John. It was the first of a series of coastal watchtowers constructed to strengthen Malta’s maritime defences. These towers occupied strategic positions along the coastline, allowing guards to observe approaching vessels and relay warnings between neighbouring watchposts. Għajn Ħadid Tower overlooked the northeastern coastline and the approaches towards St Paul’s Bay. Its upper section reportedly collapsed during the earthquake of 1856, leaving the substantial ruins that survive today. Although much of the original building has disappeared, the remaining walls provide valuable evidence of its robust limestone construction. This photograph documents the exposed interior of the historic watchtower, highlighting its masonry, structural deterioration and the passage of time.