A Step In Time

Images courtesy of Heritage Malta / Sacred Islands

Situated just off Ggantija Temples, walking into the Ta’ Kola windmill in Xaghra feels like stepping back in time to the life of the miller in centuries past. Standing as a fine example of the rural economy and domestic life of Gozo in the past, the windmill is one of several built during the time of the Knights of St John.

The Ta’ Kola windmill was built in 1725 by the Manoel Foundation, which was funding the building of windmills which were then leased to private individuals to ensure that sufficient flour was produced to sustain the increasing population of the Maltese islands.

The windmill changed hands several times up to the early 20th century when it came into the ownership of the Grech family. Grech senior was named Nikola – or ‘Kola for short – hence the local name for the mill today. The mill passed to his son, Guzeppi, who lived there until his death in 1987. The windmill was then acquired by the state to ensure its preservation, and was opened to the public as a museum in 1992. However, it is mainly thanks to the Grech family that we can still enjoy the mill today in such an excellent state of preservation. Ta’ Kola is one of the few remaining examples of 18th century industrial heritage on the Maltese islands.

The windmill was built in 1725 during the magistracy of Grandmaster Manoel de Vilhena (1722-36). It was equipped with a large water cistern, a workshop, and living quarters for the miller and his family. The windmill was so active during the 18th century that it had to be restored several times. Eventually, it was rebuilt in 1787 on the order of Baron Francesco Gauci on behalf of the Manoel Foundation. The mill appears to have been a valuable, thriving business since the annual rent for the building increased as it passed from owner to owner.

The miller would have been a skilled craftsman trained in a wide range of trades. Apart from operating the windmill, he would have performed several secondary jobs to keep himself employed when weather conditions meant he was unable to operate the mill. When the mill was working, the miller would let the locals know by blowing through a triton-shell known in Maltese as bronja. Villagers would then bring their wheat to be processed into flour. To increase the mill’s efficiency, the external antennae were equipped with large canvas sails.

Today, the mill displays a vast array of tools, some of which were originally manufactured by the owners of the mill. On the first floor, the living quarters of the miller have been recreated using traditional furniture and items related to Gozitan crafts such as weaving and lace-making. The ground floor also hosts a permanent display on the importance of bread in Maltese culture. One can also see the internal mechanisms; however the external mechanisms are currently dismantled as they are being repaired after being damaged by heavy storms.

Ggantija temples and Ta’ Kola windmill are open Monday to Sunday from 09.00 to 17.00. The last admission is at 16.30. They are closed on 24, 25 and 31 December, 1 January and Good Friday.

Article and images by Heritage Malta.