Gauci Tower

Gauci Tower stands in the village of Naxxar on the northern edge of Malta. Built before 1548 by the Gauci family, it is a small square tower with a pronounced lower half and a high parapet. Box machicolations line the top of the parapet, and the walls contain musketry loopholes and narrow vision slits. Next to the tower is a townhouse also constructed by the Gauci family. By the late 17th century the tower had lost much of its military purpose. The tower was erected to protect the Gauci family from corsair raids that threatened Malta’s coasts. In 1548 the Order of Saint John took control of the tower to quarter the Captain of the Naxxar militia. Francesco Gauci protested and the tower was returned to him on 16 May 1548. The Order then built Captain’s Tower nearby for the militia captain. A small chapel dedicated to Saint Paul was added in front of Gauci Tower in 1696. Visitors find a compact stone tower set among modest village buildings. The square plan and thick walls show its original defensive role. Machicolations and loopholes mark the upper parapet, while the lower half projects slightly outward. The adjoining townhouse shares the same historic stonework. In front, a modest chapel built in the 17th century completes the scene of quiet historical layers.