Selmun Palace
A great trekking route starting from the grand Selmun Palace in Selmun and finising off at 'l-Ahrax' where astounding cliffs and tower fortifications await you.
Selmun is a countryside hamlet in the village of
Mellieha . It is easily reachable by public transport and the area is a great spot for walking, trekking, hiking, camping and even bathing.
The area is mostly known for its imposing Selmun Palace which proudly watches over the Mistra valley and serves as a great departure point for your walk. The baroque Palace was built in the eighteenth century and was used by the Knights of Malta as a hunting and recreational lodge. Have a look at the outside view of the castle in
360 degrees here .
Departing the Palace is a gentle path with views overlooking the
Mgiebah valley and the
islands of St. Paul . The islands, off
Malta’s northeastern coast, have been uninhabited for decades and are traditionally associated with the island on which the Apostle St. Paul was shipwrecked. As you walk down this path you’ll track past quaint, old farmhouses typical of the area – some of which have been in the possession of the same family for several decades and are now used for agricultural purposes.
The route will take you to a promontory known as ‘l-Ahrax’ where you’ll approach some astounding cliffs as well as beneath; Selmun Bay. These cliffs are closely associated with the tower fortifications built by Knights of Malta to provide visibility on possible invasions by foreign nations. The closest two towers are the towers known as ‘Ta’ Ħoslien’ or ‘Aħrax Tower’ (also commonly known as the ‘White Tower’) and the tower ‘Għajn Ħadid’. These towers were built by Grand Master De Redin in the seventeenth and eighteenth century and most are in good structural condition to this day. A very brief 3D reconstruction of the ‘Aħrax Tower’ may be seen by clicking
here while an extensive history of these two towers is found
here .
Walking on along the coastline, the cliff environment presents an ever-changing canvas. Here you’ll find beaches as well as garigue areas with interesting flora and fauna. However, of interest are the eminent sand dunes which form gentle shapes on the coastal area around the White Tower. Here too, and closest to the sea, is Selmun Bay (also known as ‘Imgiebah’)– immerse yourself in a
360 view of the bay here and you’ll surely want to visit the spot immediately.