Members of the Historical Re-enactment Group yesterday turned back time to the 18th century when soldiers of the Maltese National Congress guarded the Mellieħa Red Tower in their campaign to end French occupation.

Muskets were fired as re-enactors, wearing the traditional outfits donned by congress members, marched and loaded their weapons to the orders of their commander.

Tourists and locals gathered at the Red Tower, or Fort St Agatha, to witness the re-enactment that was accompanied by a live commentary by Neville Ebejer, a member of the re-enactment group, who was wearing a white cotton outfit, together with hat and shoes typical of higher class citizens.

He explained that the commander gave his orders in Italian which, at the time, was widely understood in Malta. The officer would bark out a command for each and every step made by his soldiers because, in a battle situation, a soldier could easily forget a step and that could be fatal.

The members of the Maltese National Congress, whose aim was to drive the French out of Malta, did not wear a uniform as such. In fact they used to wear everyday clothes that usually included a red hat and waist band, possibly because red dye was popular.

The National Congress was set up in 1798 and can be considered as the first form of autonomous Maltese armed battalions ever to be formed on the island. The military experience of the Maltese during the times of the Order of St John enabled them to organise the battalions of armed men and surprise the French occupying forces.

Villagers formed battalions in every locality and, as part of their duties, they guarded Malta's towers - including the Red Tower that was one of seven built by Grand Master Lascaris.

In 1800, the congress was dissolved as its mission was complete.

Din L-Art Ħelwa director Petra Bianchi said that events like yesterday's helped generate interest in the tower that attracted about 15,000 visitors annually.

Plans were in hand to refurbish the inside of the tower that was open to visitors daily between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

At the time of its construction, in 1647, the Red Tower was the furthest outpost from Valletta and served as a signal post for communication with Gozo. One of the main defensive positions during the time of the Knights, it was equipped with a cannon and a garrison of 30 men.

Entrance to the tower is through a flight of steps separated from the door by a drawbridge. Square in plan, with four corner towers rising from the base, the outer walls are about four metres thick, through which small windows were cut. In the 18th century, a low star-shaped entrenchment was added.

During the British period, the tower was used for defence purposes and was manned during both world wars. In recent times it was used as a radar station by the Armed Forces of Malta.