Bastione di Malta

The Bastione di Malta is a compact sixteenth-century defensive tower on the coastal plain of Lamezia Terme. Its substantial masonry and square upper body preserve a landmark of the territory once held by the Knights of Malta.

Why it matters

The tower belongs to the coastal defences developed against corsair attacks. Its association with the Knights connects it to the estates and religious institutions around the Gulf of Sant’Eufemia.

What to notice

A broad, sloping base supports the square tower. Barrel-vaulted rooms occupy the interior, with a terrace above. The coat of arms of Fra Signorino Gattinara and an inscription dated 1634 record a later phase of military equipment.

Context and history

The bastion was built around 1550 within the Spanish kingdom’s coastal defence system. The Knights of Malta held jurisdiction over this stretch of coast and its estates. The tower later passed into private ownership following the early nineteenth-century sale of ecclesiastical property. Its silhouette became an emblem of Lamezia Terme.