Kenuna Tower in Gozo at risk of collapsing, PN candidate warns

The 19th century Kenuna Tower in Gozo is at risk of crumbling and collapsing, as authorities fail to safeguard the heritage site, a Gozitan PN candidate has warned. 

Luke Said said that despite the tower being closed off to the public nearly a year ago, very little has been done to safeguard the 170-year-old monument. 

In March 2025, the Nadur local council announced the closure of the site due to "structural danger" caused by natural elements. 

The tower, located on a cliff, is vulnerable to long-term erosion and instability. 

Built in 1848 by the British as a communication tower, telecoms operator GO used it in recent years.

In photos sent to the media, a major fracture can be seen in the cliff beneath the tower, while other photos show large cracks in the ground foundation of the tower.

Said highlighted how the site was not just a heritage attraction, but also formed part of a well-used walking route for residents and visitors. 

Photos shared showed deep cracks in the foundation of the heritage site. Photo: Luke Said

Said added that the only action taken so far is a tender issued by the Gozo ministry last August for a warranted structural engineer to assess consolidation measures across Gozo.

"This tender is not dedicated specifically to Ta' Kenuna, despite the evident urgency," he said.

"What Ta’ Kenuna Tower currently lacks is not technical expertise or precedent, but time. Ongoing erosion increases the risk of irreversible damage or partial collapse, posing a danger to public safety and potentially leading to much higher restoration costs or the permanent loss of an important heritage."

He said further delays in intervention work carry risks in heritage preservation and public safety and called for immediate intervention. 

Questions have been sent to the Gozo ministry.