Xlejli Tower

Xlejli Tower
It-Torri tax-Xlejli
Gudja, Malta

View of the Xlejli Tower
Coordinates 35°50′59.9″N 14°30′27.6″E / 35.849972°N 14.507667°E / 35.849972; 14.507667
Type Watchtower
Site information
Owner Private
Open to
the public		 No
Condition Preserved
Site history
Built Unknown
Built by Unknown
Materials Stone and glass[1]

Xlejli Tower (formerly spelt Shilejli Tower, Maltese: Torri tax-Xlejli or Torri Xulliela),[2] also known as Bettina Tower, is a tower in Gudja, Malta. It was probably built as a watchtower since it has views over a large area of land. The age of the tower is not known, and it could date back to the Roman or medieval periods, or possibly a later reconstruction. The tower is now located in the grounds of Palazzo Dorell, and it is closed to the public.

History

Its date of construction is not known, but it might have Roman origins. According to Louis de Boisgelin, the historian of the Order of St. John, an urn full of Roman copper medals was found at the tower. The tower also has a round shape, similar to other Punic-Roman towers in Malta.[3]

The oldest reference to the tower dates back to 1570, when it was described as a lookout tower built in the 12th or 13th century. The tower was almost definitely built as a watchtower, since it has views of the southern part of Malta, stretching from Bengħisa to the Grand Harbour.[3]

In the 17th century, the Palazzo Dorell was built close to the tower, and the latter was included in its grounds within a large walled garden. Since then, the tower has been closed for the public. The palace was the property of Marquees Bettina Testaferrata Dorell, and she restored the tower and decorated its interior. Due to this, it also became known as Bettina Tower after her.[3] She had actually named it[4] as Xlejli, which has a literal meaning of "tacked together" in old Maltese.[5]

In World War II, a bomb fell close to the tower, destroying a statue.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Zammit Tabona, Kenneth (2015). "The Age of Elegance". Miranda Publishers. Archived on 4 March 2016.
  2. ↑ Cassar Pullicino, Joseph (October–December 1949). "The Order of St. John in Maltese folk-memory" (PDF). Scientia. 15 (4): 156. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 April 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Graham, Jimmy (7 October 2014). "Xlejli Tower, Bettina Palace". Le Crac: Buildings of the Order of St.John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, at the Convent and in the provinces. Archived from the original on 26 December 2015.
  4. ↑ Johnston, Shirley Jackewicz (2001), "Malte", Random House Incorporated, ISBN 9780847822867, p. 176.
  5. ↑ Chambry, D.; Trumb, David H. (1978), "Country Life, Volume 165", 1979, Nagel Publishers, ISBN 9782826307112, p. 844.
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