The Għaxaq Semaphore Tower ( mt, It-Torri tas-Semaforu ta' Ħal Għaxaq), known locally as ''it-Turretta'' (the turret), is a
semaphore tower
A tower is a tall structure, taller than it is wide, often by a significant factor. Towers are distinguished from masts by their lack of guy-wires and are therefore, along with tall buildings, self-supporting structures.
Towers are specifi ...
in the town of
Għaxaq
Għaxaq ( mt, Ħal Għaxaq, ) is a village in the Southern Region of Malta, with a population of 4,722 people as of March 2014. It is mainly a residential area surrounded by land used for agricultural purposes. The village's name is probably re ...
,
Malta
Malta ( , , ), officially the Republic of Malta ( mt, Repubblika ta' Malta ), is an island country in the Mediterranean Sea. It consists of an archipelago, between Italy and Libya, and is often considered a part of Southern Europe. It lies ...
. It was built by the
British
British may refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies.
** Britishness, the British identity and common culture
* British English, ...
in 1848, as one of three semaphore towers in Malta. The tower is now leased to the Għaxaq Local Council, which has plans to restore it.
History
The
semaphore telegraph
Semaphore (; ) is the use of an apparatus to create a visual signal transmitted over distance. A semaphore can be performed with devices including: fire, lights, flags, sunlight, and moving arms. Semaphores can be used for telegraphy when ar ...
system was invented in 1792, and the British military authorities began to consider installing such a system in Malta in the early 1840s. Initially, it was planned that semaphore stations be established on the bell towers and domes of the island's churches, but the religious authorities rejected the proposal. Due to this, in 1848 new semaphore towers were constructed at Għaxaq and
Għargħur
Għargħur ( mt, Ħal Għargħur) is a village in the Northern Region of Malta. It is situated on a hilltop between two valleys, and it has a population of 2,768 as of March 2014.
Għargħur Festa
In Malta, each village celebrates a different ...
on the main island of Malta, and another was built at
Ta' Kenuna in Nadur, Gozo. Further stations were established at the
Governor's Palace in Valletta,
Selmun Palace near Mellieħa, and the
Giordan Lighthouse
__NOTOC__
The Giordan, Ġordan or Ta' Ġurdan Lighthouse is an active lighthouse on the Maltese island of Gozo. It is located on a hill above the village of Għasri on the northern coast of the island.
History
An earlier lighthouse was known to ...
near Għasri, Gozo. Each station was staffed by the
Royal Engineers.
The Għaxaq Semaphore Tower was built at the highest point in the town, and its roof has views of
Birżebbuġa
Birżebbuġa (; sometimes shortened to B'Buġa) is a seaside town in the Southern Region of Malta, close to Marsaxlokk. It is approximately from the capital Valletta, and it has a population of 9,736 as of March 2014.
The town is popular amon ...
,
Marsaxlokk
Marsaxlokk () is a small, traditional fishing village in the South Eastern Region of Malta. It has a harbour, and is a tourist attraction known for its views, fishermen and history. As at March 2014, the village had a population of 3,534. The ...
and
Mdina.
The semaphore system became obsolete with the introduction of the
electrical telegraph
Electrical telegraphs were point-to-point text messaging systems, primarily used from the 1840s until the late 20th century. It was the first electrical telecommunications system and the most widely used of a number of early messaging systems ...
, and all the stations in Malta were closed by the 1880s.
In August 2011, the tower was transferred to the Għaxaq Local Council at a low rent of €250 per year.
The council intends to restore the building with the assistance of the NGO Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna.
Architecture
The Għaxaq Semaphore Tower is identical to the towers at Għargħur and Ta' Kenuna, consisting of three floors, each containing a single room. The floors are linked together and with the roof by a spiral staircase. The signalling equipment, consisting of a wooden pole with three movable arms, was located on the tower's roof.
See also
Sannat Semaphore Towerhttps://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/plans-for-demolition-of-century-old-farmhouse-run-into-objections.725629
https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/no-permit-but-apartments-already-up-for-sale-in-sannat.742221
https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/gozo-ngo-concerned-at-pas-shocking-decisions.747045 ]
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ghaxaq Semaphore Tower
Telegraph stations
Għaxaq
Towers in Malta
Towers completed in 1848
Limestone buildings in Malta