De Redin towers of Malta : a contemporary geographic evaluation

Abstract

This work will investigate the contemporary geography of the De Redin towers in Malta and their utilization for touristic purposes. It will look at physical features, presence or lack of visitors, accessibility to the site, information provided and the possibility of carrying out the towers' original function. A map with the investigated features was created in order to visualize the information collected during field surveys. First and foremost, a history of fortifications in Malta will be established with particular focus on the Knight's of Saint John. The thesis will also look at cultural/heritage tourism in the past, its development, and its relevance today as well as its contribution to creating a more sustainable form of tourism. Moreover, several cases of fortifications in other countries will be examined, discussed and contrasted with the situation in Malta.