It was built by the Mamo family in 1657 on rising ground above St Thomas Bay on the east shore of Malta.

It was started by Gregorio Mamo but was finished by his son Giorgio, both of whom were professional builders who were also responsible for the construction of a number of the Order of Saint John's fortifications in Malta.

The whole tower is surrounded by a 2 metre deep dry ditch, and while this was being excavated a Phoenician or Roman tomb was discovered.

The tower does not have musketry loopholes, vision slits or other defensive features, but it was strong enough to protect the Mamo family and up to 80 farmers from the surrounding fields in a short raid by Barbary corsairs who landed at St Thomas Bay.

The tower was eventually leased to a family from Żejtun and was used as a private house until 1987, when the poor condition of the building rendered it unsuitable for habitation.