Ta’ Kola Windmill: A Glimpse into Gozitan Rural Life

Ta’ Kola Windmill, located in the village of Xagħra on Gozo, offers a captivating journey into the island's rural past. Constructed in 1725 during the reign of the Knights of St. John and rebuilt in the 1780s, the windmill was named after Nikola (Kola) Grech, the last miller who operated it.Inside, the windmill has been transformed into a museum showcasing the life and work of a traditional miller. The ground floor displays an impressive array of tools used for carpentry, smithing, and stone dressing, reflecting the diverse skills required to maintain the mill. The upper floors recreate the miller's family living quarters, complete with period furniture, traditional Gozitan crafts, a dining room, bedrooms, and a kitchen equipped with rarely seen utensils.A climb up the narrow spiral staircase reveals the original milling mechanism, including the large millstones. The windmill's sails had to be oriented to face the wind, requiring the main shaft and conical roof to be turned accordingly. Ta’ Kola Windmill remained in operation until 1960. Thanks to the efforts of Ġużeppi Grech's family and Heritage Malta, the windmill has been preserved in remarkable condition.