Marsascala. The Town.
Explore the town. Explore Marsaskala.
Marsascala is situated in the south of the island and it sprawls at the feet of two hillsides descending from the villages of Haz-Zabbar and Zejtun. Its long U-shaped coastline and beach, its rocky promontories and its multicoloured fishing vessels give it lots of character. This is enhanced by a big variety of modern leisure facilities, restaurants and bars. Marsascala is still relatively quiet even during the peak summer months. It’s a good and quieter alternative to avoid the hustle and bustle of busy tourist resorts like Sliema, St Julian’s and Buġibba.
In the holiday season Marsascala is buzzing with activity, much loved by locals and visitors alike. The mood is so relaxed here that the favourite pastime is walking along the promenade that stretches all the way around the bay from Zonqor Point around to the St. Thomas Tower, with stops on the way for drinks and snacks. These walks usually take place in the evenings as it’s a lot cooler than during the day. When it’s just too warm to contemplate walking, the day is usually spent in and around the beaches, the cafes and restaurants.
Marsascala Bay used to extend deep into the valley to a cave with a natural spring of fresh water where old mariners took their water before sailing. This zone used to be a haven for Roman ships during their long period of occupation. It is partnered by the next bay called St. Thomas Bay, dominated by the huge St.Thomas Fortress built by the Knights of St. John.
Marsaskala is very well connected with regular buses from Valletta. The bus numbers that go from Valletta to Marsaskala are 91, 92 and 93.
If you’d like to get to the village from Malta International Airport, route 135 is the best option, taking you straight there in around half an hour. You can also get an airport transfer of course, which costs around €20 for a private taxi (one way).
Żonqor Point Salt Pans
The Żonqor Point Salt Pans are a group of salt pans located in Malta, near the town of Marsaskala. Salt pans are shallow pools or pans that are used to produce salt by evaporating seawater. The Żonqor Point Salt Pans have been in use for centuries, and were once an important source of income for the local population. Today, they are mainly used for tourism and educational purposes. The salt pans are a popular spot for birdwatching and are home to a variety of migratory bird species.
St Thomas Tower
Grand Master Wignacourt commissioned the building of St Thomas Tower out of his own pocket, building it on a plot of land he had bought. It cost him 12,000 skudi, a huge sum for the time and is bigger than other towers built by the Order of St John.
The reason is that, apart from guarding the bay, it was also used for storing weapons. The eighteen-metre high tower, which was named after a small chapel dedicated to St Thomas, has four small bastions, one in every corner.
The walls are five metres thick and a wide dry ditch runs all round the tower. A small window in the basement looks over the front battery which was armed with cannons and faced the sea. The tower used to have a drawbridge.
Mamo Tower
Mamo Tower was built in 1657 by the Mamo family. It can be found in the area known as Tar-Rumi, on the road leading to Żejtun. Built in the form of a cross, it has a small dry ditch around it and used to have a drawbridge.
On the inside, Mamo Tower has a big circular room in the centre, with three lateral smaller rooms opening into each of the arms. The fourth arm contains a flight of stairs leading to the roof. It was recently renovated by Din l-Art Ħelwa, a government owned organisation.
Tal-Buttar Tower
This tower, although privately owned, has been declared a national monument due to its unique features. Tall-Buttar Tower in fact contains a watermill within it and the machinery of the watermill is probably one of the best surviving examples in the Malta.
St. Anthony's Chapel
Originally within the limits of Żejtun, this chapel is dedicated to St Anthony of Padua and was built in 1675. The feast of St Anthony is still held annually on June 13th with a mass and a short homily.
Small loaves of bread are distributed among the congregation on this day. Within the chapel there’s a small statue of St Anthony which used to be taken out to sea by Maltese fishermen. They lowered the statue into the sea praying and hoping for a good catch. And farmers used to lower it inside their wells during droughts.
The Three Crosses Monument
The origins of the Three Crosses monument are shrouded in mystery. Over the years, there have been many different interpretations as to why it was built. Among the popular theories are that three monks were killed by Turks and buried there; a man died of the plague and was buried at the site by the people of Żejtun; an elderly hermit was buried three times in that place, after arising from death. Another less fantastical theory suggests that the Monument of the Three Crosses was built around 1615 to indicate the confines between Żejtun and Żabbar.
Riħama Battery
Riħama Battery lies on the southern end of St Thomas Bay. It used to be an artillery battery built by the Order of the Knights between 1714 and 1716 as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the coasts of the Maltese Islands. The building still exists but has long since fallen into disrepair.