Back when Maltese households didn’t have water and electricity supplies, matriarchs used to carry their washing to communal springs where they’d wash their clothes while catching up with the gossip of the day. Referred to in Maltese by the literal translation L-Ghajn tal-Hasselin, most of the sites have now been relegated to tourist attractions. However, their charm prevails and washer springs continue to be a well of nostalgia for locals and a source of allure for visitors. Below are six Maltese springs which were used on the daily by housewives.

1. Fontana, Gozo

One of the most famous washer springs on the islands, this site makes the list of Gozitan must-sees. The irrigation system used is a very old one, yet the spring remains functional to this day. Driving past on your way to or from Xlendi, you can still sometimes spot an old lady or two with their blue plastic basins, furiously handwashing their garments in a serene setting.

2. Dingli

A slippery flight of stairs between Diar il-Bniet and Sta. Domenica Church will lead you down to this natural spring. Situated right across a valley, the spring provided a near-constant supply of fresh water to nearby communities.

3. Marsaxlokk

While the area has been preserved, the spring’s overhead wooden structure has been removed. However, the community has chosen to commemorate its original purpose with a beautiful statue of a man clambering out of the spring with two wicker baskets and heading towards two young children with fish at their feet, linking the spring with the village’s fishing history. What a cute touch!

4. Msida

In plain sight of most, its unfortunate placing in the middle of traffic central means it’s often overlooked. Constructed in 1705, the spring lay abandoned for a long time resulting in a health hazard for residents due to drainage overflows and resultant stagnant waters. Efforts have been made to restore it and remove potential risks.

5. Mdina

Located near Mdina’s western gate, this spring has been abandoned for a long time, and a call was issued in 2010 warning of its potential collapse. Erected in the 17th century during the time of the knights, the constant water supply resulted in the erosion of its foundation. It is not known whether the spring was restored as part of the 2015 project by the Mdina Local Council to bring the Casino Maltese adjacent to it back to its former glory.

6. Ghajnsielem, Gozo

Commissioned in 1710, the spring enjoyed immense popularity in the 18th and 19th century. Due to its later abandonment, the spring fell into a pitiful state and was removed in the '50s to make way for a square. Although most of the original Ghajn tal-Hasselin is no longer, a replica of it – with the inclusion of some original features – was inaugurated in 2015.

Do you remember any of these in use?