Sopu Tower Nadur Gozo
Isopu Tower was built by the Order of Saint John in 1667 during the reign of Grandmaster Nicolas Cotoner at the expense of the Università of Gozo. The latter paid for its garrison but artillery was supplied by the Order itself. The tower is square in shape, and the design is similar to the Xlendi and Dwejra Towers. The walls are thick with inward slopes. The tower has a high barrel vault with the middle floor resting on rib arches. A spiral staircase provides access to the various floors. The main doorway had four escutcheons with coats of arms of the Order and the Gozo Università, and the personal arms of Cotoner and the Governor of Gozo.
[Wikipedia] Sopu Tower
Sopu Tower (Maltese: Torri ta' Sopu), also known as Isopu Tower, San Blas Tower or Torre Nuova, is a small watchtower situated on the cliff between San Blas and Daħlet Qorrot in Nadur, Gozo, Malta.
Isopu Tower was the last watchtower to be built in Malta, apart from the tour-reduits of the 18th century. It is one of four surviving towers on Gozo, with the others being Xlendi Tower, Dwejra Tower and Mġarr ix-Xini Tower.
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Gozo Minister Must Safeguard National Heritage Assets - AD
Speaking at a press conference in Xlendi Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson Dr Harry Vassallo said that the state of neglect of national treasures to be found in Gozo is a matter for grave concern. The ancient watch tower at Xlendi is about to collapse due to long standing neglect. If the Ministry for Gozo has not be able to secure the emergency repairs necessary for this national treasure one is easily entitled to predict that it will not be able to address the disaster of its collapse which will cause much more damage than already exists. This tower which is the hallmark of this small seaside village will disappear for ever Dr Vassallo said.
Instead of investing public funds in the upgrade of Rundle Gardens in Victoria which can be easily postponed the Ministry for Gozo should be able to recognise the emergency staring it in the face and act now to avoid the much larger expense which will be necessary following the collapse of Xlendi Tower Dr Vassallo said.
In recent years there have been excellent examples given by NGOs such as Wirt Ghawdex which restored the tower at Mgarr ix-Xini and Din l-Art Helwa which restored the Isopu Tower Dr Vassallo said. The restoration of Xlendi Tower is now a national emergency and the Ministry for Gozo should have no difficulty securing the funds necessary from the government if it decides to take action Dr Vassallo added.
Present state of the tower warrants immediate action regardless of any lease granted by government. It is clear that the present state of neglect fully justifies the cancellation of any lease granted and the return to government of the tower in full and free possession. Such a national treasure should be maintained in such a way that it can be safely used and enjoyed by the public. Dr Vassallo said Nor should any development application in the immediate vicinity of the tower be countenanced. We fully expect the Ministry for Gozo to insist on the scheduling not only of the ancient tower itself but also of the surrounding landscape which is an essential part of the aesthetic and historical value to be safeguarded Dr Vassallo said.
The context of major architectural heritage assets such as Xlendi Tower is of the greatest importance and should support the requests of site neighbours for sensitive treatment in any public works in the area Dr Vassallo said. Any changes to public areas in the vicinity should not have any negative impact on the area and residents should be treated with respect and consulted. The Munxar Local Council should guarantee that the residents are fully informed of any development taking place in the area and not kept in the dark Dr Vassallo said
It would be indeed ironic if public money were to be spent in unnecessary embellishments of viewing platforms from which one would be able to view only the ruins of Xlendi Tower due to its imminent collapse Dr Vassallo said. Alternattiva Demokratika calls on the Ministry for Gozo to get its priorities right and to ensure that public money is immediately invested to secure the national treasures to be found in Gozo such as the Xlendi Tower for all Maltese, Gozitans and the many foreign residents investing to reside in Gozo Dr Vassallo said.
THE MINISTER replied defensively to this statement and AD issued immediately a reply stating:
In response to a press release issued by the Ministry for Gozo yesterday, Alternattiva Demokratika Spokesperson for Gozo and General Secretary Mr Victor Galea said that the Ministry had confirmed the statements made by Alternattiva Demokratika that After decades of neglect, the Ministry for Gozo had decided to upgrade Rundle Gardens in Victoria by strange coincidence accommodating the development which saw the demolition of the landmark Duke of Edinburgh Hotel and the loss of Roman remains to be found on site Mr Galea said.
The Ministry also confirms that the historic Watch Tower in Xlendi remains in the hands of third parties regardless of the ruinous state in which it has been allowed to degrade Mr Galea said. He added that the unquestionable threat of imminent collapse of Xlendi tower fully justifies the rescission of any grant by government of any title over the property to third parties. It is the most feeble of excuses for doing nothing in the face of disaster Mr Galea said the government has every right to recover the property and see to its immediate repair before much greater expenses become necessary and before Gozo risked losing forever a heritage asset of national importance Mr Galea said.
The upgrading of Rundle Gardens will be a very welcome development when it finally takes place but this does not mean that the Gozo Ministry can shift its responsibilities and ignore other endangered hertitage assets of the island such as the Xlendi Tower. Gozitans are proud of what we have and do not want to lose it due to lack of political vision and absurd concessions to speculators concluded Mr Galea.
http://www.hotelscombined.com/?a_aid=192542 Historical Places Of Interest To Visit - Gozo & Comino
Historical Places Of Interest To Visit - Gozo & Comino
Heritage Saved By Din L-Art Helwa
Dwejra Tower - 1652
The Tower, also known as Qawra Tower, overlooks Dwejra Bay and the important il - Gebla tal - General or as it is more commonly called today, Fungus Rock. Completed in 1652 during te reign of Grand Master Lascaris but at the expense of the Universitas of Gozo (local government) the tower formed part of the coastal protection of the island. The tower is accessed via a steep track off the main road. It measures 12m square and has walls 3.5m thick. Construction is of 2 courses of lime stone blocks filled with rubble. The lower floor is cut into the living rock and has a large rock-cut well. Access to the roof is via a stone stair case. By 1995, the tower was in a most neglected state of repair and Din l--Art Helwa undertook this challenging restoration work which was generously sponsored by
Galdes and Mamo Ltd. Today, the tower can be enjoyed not only for its history and commanding scenic location but it serves also as an information centre within the Dwejra Nature and History Park. It
is held in guardianship by Din L-Art Helwa and together with the environment NGO, Nature Trust Malta, it is opened regularly to the public. Wednesday 9.00am to 3.00m, Sundays & Public Holidays from 10.30 a to 3.00pm, and when the flag is flying.
Santa Marija Tower, Comino, 1618
The Santa Marija Tower on Comino, standing 230 feet above sea level, formed part of the early system
of towers which the Order of the Knights of St John established to facilitate defense and communication between the Cittadella in Gozo and Mdina, as well as being a significant key location
within the series of watch towers around the coast.
The decision to build this Tower was taken by Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt in 1618, and was
financed by the Grand Master himself. The imposing site chosen was some eighty metres above sea level. The Tower, which commands magnificent views over Comino's sparkling waters and the straits between Gozo and Malta, also knew notoriety as the infamous Chateau d' lf in the 2002 film 'The Count of Monte Cristo'.
Din L-Art Helwa undertook the monumental restoration work between 2002 & 2005. It was sponsored by the Malta Authority and the Vodafone Foundation with support from the Gozo Channel Company and the Comino Hotel.
The Tower is opened to the public from April to October on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays from 10.30am to 3,opm, or when the flag is flying.
Santa Marija Gun Battery, Comino, 1715
This coastal battery, one of three surviving in Gozo & Comino, was erected in 1715 to protect the South Comino Channel and thanks to the recent restoration, one of the best preserved. Behind a
semi-circular enciente facing the channel, two 24-pounder & for 6-pounder guns were mounted to br fired from the 8 embrasures to ward off attacks.
Restoration work by Din L-Art Helwa took place between 1996 - 7 and 2003-4 and was funded by P Cutajar & Co Ltd, and the Comino Hotel
Isopu Tower, Nadur, 1667
This tower is situated on the north-east coast of Gozo above the Gebel Mistra between San Blas Bay
and Dahlet Qorrot. It is known by many names: La Torre Nuova, Torri Gdid ta' Rdu il-kbir (the new
tower on the big cliff, Torri San Blas, it Torri ta' Dahlet Qorrot and also Sopu's Tower. It was built during the years that Nicolas Cottoner was Grand Master, but it was first commissioned by Grand
Master Lascaris de Castellar in 1667. Perched 120 metres above sea level in a very spectacular
location facing the open sea on the east side, it can only be seen from San Blas Bay and Dahlet
Qorrot Bay. Together with Marsalforn Tower (no longer standing) it was the only tower that has faced
action and that was during the French attack in 1798. The restoration was a joint project undertaken between 2004 and 2006, between Din L-Art Helwa and Nadur Local Council Currently it is opened by Din L-Art Helwa volunteers on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Sunday mornings of each month. For further
details of opening hours, functions,walks, etc please contact the Secretary, Nadur Local Council on
21558080 or email nadur.lc@gov.mt or Din L-Art Helwa on 212225952/21559679/99051866 or email carolync@maltnet.net
Lunzjata Valley The Great Fountain, 1698
Situated just to the west of Rabat (Victoria) the spectacular Lunzjata Valley lies below the Church of St Gregory, Kerchem. From the baroque entrance arch the valley runs down past a quaint chapel and on to the Great Fountain (Ghajn il-Kbir). The lush gorge was a game reserve for several of the grand masters during their tie in Malta. The valley and the chapel are named after the feast of il-Lunzjata
(the Annunciation of the Incarnation of Christ to the Blessed Virgin Mary). An elegant niche was commissioned by Grand Maste