Ta’ Kola Windmill stands as one of Gozo’s most enduring historical landmarks, offering a fascinating glimpse into daily life during the time of the Knights of St John.
Built in 1787, the windmill is among the few surviving windmills from the Knights’ era that remain standing today, making it an important symbol of Malta’s rural and industrial heritage.
Located in the heart of Xagħra, Ta’ Kola Windmill once played a vital role in the local community. Its rotating vanes were harnessed by the power of the wind to operate the internal machinery used to grind grain into flour, an essential process for producing bread and sustaining everyday life. At a time when communities depended heavily on local resources, the windmill was a cornerstone of economic and social activity.
Inside the building, visitors can still explore the miller’s workshop and living quarters, carefully preserved to reflect the realities of a trade that was once indispensable. The structure offers insight not only into the technical workings of the mill but also into the personal life of the miller and his family, who often lived on site to manage operations around the clock.
Today, Ta’ Kola Windmill serves as a living record of traditional craftsmanship, engineering ingenuity, and community resilience. As modern technology has replaced wind-powered milling, the windmill remains a reminder of a time when nature and human skill worked hand in hand.
Visiting Ta’ Kola Windmill allows both locals and tourists to step back in time and appreciate the ingenuity that sustained generations of Gozitans.
Have you ever visited Ta’ Kola Windmill in Gozo?