Discover Mtarfa: Mtarfa Square and Its Historic Clock Tower

Perched on a hill overlooking the central part of Malta, Mtarfa is a small locality with a fascinating history and a character all of its own. Although it is located close to the historic cities of Mdina and Rabat, Mtarfa offers visitors something different: a quieter atmosphere, British military heritage, beautiful limestone architecture and one of Malta's most recognisable landmarks — the Mtarfa Clock Tower.

Today, Mtarfa Square has also become an important gathering place for the local community, while the restored clock tower continues to dominate the skyline and remind residents and visitors of the area's remarkable past.

Mtarfa: A Village with Layers of History

Mtarfa's history goes back much further than its British military period. During Roman times, the area formed part of a suburb of Melite and included a temple dedicated to Proserpina. Archaeological remains survived in the area for centuries before much of the landscape was transformed during the development of the British military barracks in the late 19th century.

The British began constructing military barracks at Mtarfa around 1890, and the development of the hill changed the character of the area dramatically. The barracks were completed during the 1890s and were accompanied by military and medical facilities.

The legacy of this period can still be seen throughout Mtarfa today.

Former military buildings, the old hospital complex and the Clock Tower all contribute to the distinctive appearance of the locality.

The Mtarfa Clock Tower

Standing proudly above the surrounding buildings, the Mtarfa Clock Tower is undoubtedly the symbol most closely associated with the locality.

The tower was built in 1895 as part of the British military complex at Mtarfa. It was designed not simply as an attractive landmark but as a practical clock for the military settlement. With clock faces on its four sides, the time could be seen from different directions across the surrounding area.

The tower is built from Malta's characteristic golden limestone and has a distinctive architectural appearance. Decorative stonework, balconies, arches and the crenellated parapet at the top give it a surprisingly elegant appearance for a building originally associated with a military complex.

The tower rises approximately 31.5 metres, with the lower section measuring around 22.5 metres and the upper section adding another nine metres. A spiral staircase leads towards the clock mechanism at the top.

The square has undergone a major regeneration project designed to create a larger, more attractive and more accessible public space. The newly regenerated square was officially inaugurated in November 2025 following an investment of approximately €1.5 million.

The redevelopment has given Mtarfa a renewed public space where families and residents can spend time together. Community events, entertainment, traditional Maltese activities and local celebrations can help transform the square from simply an open space into a genuine meeting place.

This is particularly important for a locality such as Mtarfa, where the sense of community is an important part of its identity.

Why Visit Mtarfa?

Mtarfa may not be the first place that comes to mind when planning a visit to Malta, but that is precisely part of its charm.

It offers:

• A fascinating British military heritage

• The impressive 19th-century Clock Tower

• Traditional Maltese limestone architecture

• Views across central Malta

• The regenerated Mtarfa Square

• A quieter atmosphere than some of Malta's busiest tourist destinations

• Easy proximity to Rabat and Mdina

• An opportunity to discover a less-touristy side of Malta

For anyone interested in history, architecture, photography or local Maltese life, Mtarfa is well worth exploring.

A Small Locality with a Big Story

Mtarfa's Clock Tower has watched over the locality for more than a century.

It has seen the transformation of the British military barracks, the growth of the modern community, changes to the surrounding buildings and the development of Mtarfa Square into a contemporary public space.

And through all these changes, the clock tower has remained.

Today, the tower and square together provide a wonderful snapshot of Mtarfa — a place where Malta's past and present meet.

So, the next time you are exploring Mdina or Rabat, take a little extra time to visit Mtarfa. Walk through the square, look up at the Clock Tower and take a moment to appreciate the history contained within this small corner of Malta.

Sometimes, the places just outside the main tourist routes are the ones that tell the most interesting stories.