Xlendi Tower (1650) — one of ten Lascaris towers, guarding Gozo's southern coast from pirates. A landmark on the Xlendi–Sanap cliff trail.
Xlendi Bay had been a natural harbour on Gozo's southern coast for centuries — and a natural invitation for Barbary pirates. In 1650, Grand Master Giovanni Paolo Lascaris ordered a watchtower built on the cliff above the bay to protect fishermen and residents from sudden raids. Xlendi Tower was one of ten towers in the Lascaris system.
Lascaris expanded the defensive network begun by Wignacourt. His towers were smaller and cheaper to build, but placed more densely — so that every stretch of coastline was under observation. Xlendi Tower had direct visual contact with the tower at Dwejra to the west and the Citadel's signal system to the north. In case of attack, a fire on the tower roof would trigger a chain of warnings within minutes.
Today the tower is one of the landmarks on the Xlendi–Sanap Cliffs trail, one of the most beautiful walks on Gozo. From the clifftops, the tower is visible against the sea, and on clear days the African coast appears on the horizon. The tower is accessible from outside — the interior is closed.
Practical tip: Best view of the tower from the cliffs above Xlendi — the trail starts at the end of the promenade in the bay. An excellent sunset spot.
Visible from the Xlendi–Sanap cliff trail. Free external access.
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The Xlendi viewpoint helps read the bay as a small harbour set between cliffs.
Xlendi Bay is a picturesque fishing inlet on southern Gozo. In 2007, a Phoenician trading ship from the 7th century BC was discovered offshore, only the eighth such wreck ever found.
The Sanap Cliffs (130 m) offer one of Malta's best coastal walks. The name derives from the Maltese word senapa, meaning mustard. Spectacular sunsets.