Castello Lanzun

Castello Lanzun
Torri ta' Lanzun
View of Castello Lanzun
Alternative names	Lanzun Tower
General information
Status	Intact
Type	Fortified farmhouse
Architectural style	Traditional Maltese
Location	San Ġwann, Malta
Coordinates	35°54′48.9″N 14°28′49.2″E / 35.913583°N 14.480333°E / 35.913583; 14.480333
Named for	Wenzu Lanzun
Construction started	15th century
Renovated	1713
Owner	Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem
Technical details
Material	Limestone

Castello Lanzun, also known as Lanzun Tower (Maltese: Torri ta' Lanzun), is a 15th-century fortified farmhouse in Mensija, limits of San Ġwann, Malta. It serves as the headquarters of the Malta-Paris obedience of the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem.

Castello Lanzun was originally built in the 15th century as a farmhouse. It gets its name from Wenzu Lanzun (Lorenzo Lanzon), a man from Birgu who lived there during the 1676 plague epidemic.

The farmhouse was modified and enlarged in 1713, and it was fortified so as to be able to provide refuge for the local population in case of a corsair raid. It was also used as a hunting lodge by the Grand Master of the Order of St. John.

In World War II, the building served as an observation post to identify approaching enemy aircraft, and it was severely damaged by aerial bombardment.

In 1972, the farmhouse was purchased by Robert Gayre, who restored the building and handed it to the Malta obedience of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem. It was formally inaugurated as the Order's official headquarters on 12 May 1973 by Grand Master Francisco de Borbón y Borbón. The property is in the custody of the Grand Commandery of the Castello (formerly the Commandery of Lochore).

The tower was visited by Patriarch Gregory III Laham on 17 April 2010. The 40th anniversary of the inauguration of the tower was celebrated in May 2013 with a visit by Grand Master Carlos Gereda y de Borbón and other members of the Order.