Ta’ Kola Windmill: A Glimpse into Gozitan Rural Life

Ta’ Kola Windmill, located in the village of Xagħra on the island of Gozo, is one of the few remaining windmills on the Maltese Islands with its sails and internal mechanisms intact. Originally built in 1725 during the rule of the Knights of St. John under Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena, it was rebuilt in the 1780s and served as a vital part of the local community by grinding wheat and other grains into flour.Named after Nikola (Kola) Grech, the last miller who operated it, Ta’ Kola Windmill provides a glimpse into the life and work of a traditional miller. The ground floor houses a workshop filled with tools used for carpentry, smithing, and stone dressing, reflecting the skills needed to maintain the windmill. The first floor has been restored to represent the miller's family living quarters, complete with period furniture, a kitchen, and bedrooms.Visitors can explore the inner workings of the windmill, including the milling mechanism in the central tower. The museum also displays a collection of traditional Gozitan crafts and tools, offering a tangible connection to the island's rural past. Ta' Kola Windmill stands as a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of Gozitan villagers in the pre-industrial age.