Din l-Art Ħelwa, in collaboration with the Qrendi local council, has just published the book Sciuto Tower and Walks in Qrendi.

Written by Stanley Farrugia Randon, council member of Din l-Art Ħelwa, the book gives a detailed history of the watch tower built in 1647 during the reign of Grand Master Jean Paul de Lascaris. Its architecture served as a model to a subsequent chain of towers built by Grand Master Martino de Redin.

The tower was later used by the British during which it was manned by the Royal Malta Fencible Regiment, the Royal Malta Fencible Artillery and the King’s Own Malta Regiment.

During World War II, it was used as a coastal observation post by the coast police until it was abandoned in 2002.

In 2013, the tower was included in the list of heritage sites handed over in a guardianship agreement from the government to Din l-Art Ħelwa, who recently restored it.

It is now open to the public by Din l-Art Ħelwa volunteers. Visitors can enjoy a documentary about the nearby island of Filfla and learn about the history and marine biodiversity of the area on interactive equipment.

The publication gives a detailed account of the surroundings of the tower, as well as the islet of Filfla, and two walking tours from the tower.

The first walk guides the visitor to the Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra temples, Congreve Memorial, Tal-Ħamrija Tower and the Misqa Tanks, while the second walk takes the visitor to St Matthew’s chapel and the land depression behind it known as Il-Maqluba.

The publication includes a guided tour of the tower and a quiz for adults and children.

The book was published thanks to funding from the Gal Xlokk Local Action Group through its Rural Development Programme for Malta. It is available at Sciuto Tower.