Dominating a Natura 2000 site in the picturesque Wied iz-Zurrieq area, is one of these relatively small yet historically important structures; Torri Xutu.
Having proudly looked out in the direction of the islet of Filfla since the reign of Grand Master Lascaris, Torri Xutu was not only used during the times of the Knights of St John, but went on to lend itself to the Coast Police as an observation post when the Mediterranean was in the throes of World War II.
While the 17th-century tower succumbed to neither enemy attack nor fury of the elements, Torri Xutu’s proximity to the sea, coupled with its abandonment in 2002, took a visible toll on the once-impenetrable defence structure.