Landmark Name: Mamo Tower
Type: Restoration Project
Association: Round Table Malta
Table: Round Table Malta 1
Location: Marsascala, Malta (Google Maps🔗)
Round Table Malta 1 sponsored part of the restoration of Mamo Tower (Maltese: Torri Mamo), also known as San Tommaso Tower (Maltese: Torri Ta’ Mamu), works which took place between 1994 and 1995.
Mamo Tower was built in 1657 as a fortified residence for the Mamo family, who owned land in the area. It was started by Gregorio Mamo but was finished by his son Giorgio, both of whom were professional builders who were also responsible for the construction of a number of the Order of Saint John’s fortifications in Malta.
The tower’s shape is a St. Andrew’s Cross with sixteen sides. The hall in the centre of the tower is bombproof, while the upper floor was left unfinished. The whole tower is surrounded by a 2 metre deep dry ditch, and while this was being excavated a Phoenician or Roman tomb was discovered. The tower does not have musketry loopholes, vision slits or other defensive features, but it was strong enough to protect the Mamo family and up to 80 farmers from the surrounding fields in a short raid by Barbary corsairs who landed at St Thomas Bay.
Mamo tower was integrated into the Order’s coastal defence system (along with Wignacourt, Lascaris and De Redin towers) and contemporary paintings show it flying the Order’s flag.
In 1988 Din l‑Art Ħelwa, the National Trust of Malta, conducted a study of repairs required to the external walls. After this was completed, the stone masonry which was in a state of deterioration was replaced. Pilasters were erected to be able to fix a gate at the main entrance. The rubble wall around the ditch also needed considerable repair. Restoration of the external walls was carried out during 1994 and 1995 and the installation of electricity and a bathroom rendered the tower a suitable venue for small functions. A small room, on the left as one climbs up the steps to the roof was converted into a kitchen. The rooms were also given new illumination as were the facades of the external walls and ditch. The floor was covered with stone flags. In 1995 Round Table Malta One offered their financial sponsorship to complete the restoration of the tower.
The tower has been open to the public since 2003. It is now open on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. It is also occasionally used for re-enactments.
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