Cumbo Tower
| Cumbo Tower | |
|---|---|
Torri Cumbo | |
| Mosta, Malta | |
 Cumbo Tower | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Residence, Watchtower |
| Owner | Private property |
| Open to the public | No |
| Condition | Intact |
| Location | |
 | |
| Coordinates | 35°54′07.6″N 14°25′25.5″E / 35.902111°N 14.423750°E |
| Height | 1500s |
| Site history | |
| Materials | Limestone |
The Cumbo Tower (Maltese: Torri Cumbo) is a villa in the town of Mosta which served as a stronghold during its time. The tower is a two-storey building adorned with a niche on the main façade and surrounded by extensive gardens.
History
[edit]In the grounds of the Cumbo Tower, there is a small Christian family tomb from the Roman era.[1] The medieval tower is said to have been owned by Julius Cumbo, a renowned criminal lawyer and state jurat of the Università of Mdina. During 1526 the tower may have played a role in the abduction of prisoners from the locality.[2]
It served as an officers’ mess during WWII.[3]
Nowadays, the tower hosts a reservoir belonging to Malta's Water Services Corporation which receives water from Chadwick Lakes through an underground channel.[4]
The tower is scheduled as a grade 2 national monument by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.[5]
Legend
[edit]The Legend of the Mosta Bride (L-Għarusa tal-Mosta) is closely tied to Cumbo Tower, a historic building in Mosta. According to tradition, the tower was the home of the wealthy Cumbo family, and it was here that Marjanna Cumbo lived before she was abducted by pirates in 1526.
On her wedding day, as she prepared to marry Toni Manduca, corsairs led by Rajjes Sinen raided Mosta. Among them was Haggi Muley, a former servant of the Cumbo family who had joined the pirates after Marjanna rejected his love. He stormed Cumbo Tower, captured Marjanna, and took her aboard a pirate ship to Tripoli, where she was placed in the harem of the Sultan.
Determined to rescue her, Toni disguised himself as a merchant and traveled to North Africa. After months of searching, he discovered Marjanna’s whereabouts. With the help of the Sultan’s daughter who had befriended Marjanna, she managed to escape in disguise. Reunited, the couple fled to a Venetian ship bound for Malta.
Upon their return, they finally married, turning their tragic separation into a tale of love and resilience. Cumbo Tower remains a symbol of this legend, standing at the crossroads of Torri Cumbo Road and Dumblat Road in Mosta—a silent witness to Malta’s history and the enduring power of love.
The tower remains a symbol of this legend, standing at the crossroads of Torri Cumbo Road and Dumblat Road in Mosta. To this day, it serves as a reminder of Malta’s turbulent past and the resilience of its people.
In popular culture
[edit]- The tower is visible in the 2016 film 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.
Further reading
[edit]- Corrupt judges in the times of the Order
- Places of Interest Archived 2021-05-09 at the Wayback Machine
References
[edit]- ^ Zammit, Gabrielle. "Report on the State of Conservation of Ta Bistra Catacombs".
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ "Cumbo Tower". The Times of Malta. Archived from the original on 2012-05-17. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
- ^ McDonald, Paul (30 November 2015). Malta's Greater Siege & Adrian Warburton DSO* DFC** DFC (USA). Pen and Sword. ISBN 9781473860087 – via Google Books.
- ^ "North West Local Plan – Ta' Qali Action Plan". Malta Environment and Planning Authority. August 2006. Archived from the original on 11 October 2016.
- ^ "MEPA - Malta Environment & Planning Authority". Archived from the original on 2014-09-03. Retrieved 2016-06-16.