Dwejra Tower

Standing alone on the high ground above bay, Dwejra Tower has been keeping watch over Gozo's western coast since 1652. It was originally built to guard this stretch of shoreline from pirate landings. In 1746 its job shifted to protecting Fungus Rock, the small islet just offshore where a plant believed to have medicinal properties grew. The tower itself is compact and photographs well as a lone subject against the dramatic coastal landscape, especially with the rugged cliffs and open sea around it. From the rooftop platform you get a wide panoramic view that includes Fungus Rock, the Inland Sea, and the site where the Azure Window stood (before it collapsed in 2017). Sunset is the perfect time to shoot here since the tower faces west and the light drops straight into the sea. Plus Dwejra is a designated Dark Sky Heritage Area. Since the area has very little light pollution it is one of the best spots on the island for astrophotography. The tower works as a strong foreground anchor for Milky Way compositions, and the surrounding rocky landscape gives you plenty of options to vary your framing. The walk up from the road is steep and uneven, so be careful if you're heading up in the dark. The tower is free to enter and generally open Sundays or whenever the flag is flying. (Dwejra, Island of Gozo, Malta)