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. Ghaxaq_Semaphor_Torri

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, 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.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ghaxaq Semaphore Tower Telegraph stations Għaxaq Towers in Malta Towers completed in 1848 Limestone buildings in Malta

History

Architecture

See also

References