The coastline of islands Malta, Gozo, and Comino dotted are with lookout posts built by the Order of Saint John during the 17th century. A series of small watchtowers was erected to watch the seaward approaches of the enemy ships. The arrangement of the towers was planned so that each of them could see their both neighbors. In this way, an early warning system could be implemented by quickly passing information between to nearest towers.
One of the towers on the island of Gozo, in addition to protection from the advancing enemies, had another important task. The Malta Fungus, not a fungus at all in fact, which grows on the small costal island, was believed to have medicinal properties. It was so valuable, that cliffs of the islet were smoothed to prevent thieves from climbing. A primitive cable-car basket stretched between the banks was the only way to reach the Fungus Rock from the shore. The Knights used a plant as a styptic dressing for wounds and a cure for dysentery. As a rare medicine, it was often provided as a gift to kings and distinguished noblemen throughout the Europe. When Grand Master of the Order of Saint John announced that the Fungus Rock is a closed for commoners, the nearby Dwejra Tower served as a lookout to protect the island and the medicinal plant.
