Albert Calleja, Romina and Stanley Farrugia Randon and their son Robert, Qrendi mayor David Schembri, Ian Camilleri, Kurt Zammit, Ryan Magro and Julia Camilleri.

The coastal watchtower in Wied iż-Żurrieq, known as It-Torri ta’ Xutu, was given a clean-up when a group of Din l-Art Ħelwa volunteers, led by Stanley Farrugia Randon and Qrendi mayor David Schembri, accompanied Qrendi Scouts to throw out the accumulating debris.

The area around the tower was full of old beds, mattresses, rusty pipes and decaying apertures. The tower, the last to be built during the reign of Grand Master Lascaris, was important as it served as a prototype for others.

Under British rule, Ta’ Xutu tower was manned by the Royal Malta Fencible Regiment, later the Royal Malta Fencible Artillery.

In 1873, the latter gave up its coastal guard commitments and the site was abandoned. During World War II, the tower was used as a coast observation post and was manned by the coast police.

Din l-Art Ħelwa had appealed to the government about the state of the tower, which occupies a dominant position within a popular visitors’ area and is in a Natura 2000 site.

The heritage NGO was last year awarded the tower in guardianship for its management and restoration. The project, approved by Mepa, will start soon.

The tower commands spectacular views over the cliffs to Filfla and when its restoration is complete, will be part of a heritage trail in the southern area.