Ta’ Kola Windmill: A Glimpse into Gozitan Rural Life

Ta’ Kola Windmill, located in the heart of Xagħra, Gozo, is one of the few surviving windmills on the Maltese Islands from the Knights' period. Built in 1725 during the rule of Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena, it was erected to grind wheat into flour, a vital resource for the local community. The windmill's name, Ta' Kola, originates from Nikola (Kola) Grech, the last miller who operated it.The structure consists of a cylindrical stone tower surrounded by rooms on two floors. The ground floor houses workshops for carpentry, smithing, and stone dressing, showcasing the skills needed to maintain the windmill. The first floor reveals the living quarters of the miller's family, including a dining room, kitchen, and bedrooms furnished with period furniture and Gozitan crafts.Visitors can explore the milling mechanism, climb the spiral staircase to the upper part of the tower, and view a collection of traditional tools. The museum provides a glimpse into the ingenuity, resilience, and everyday life of Gozitan villagers in the pre-industrial age. The site opened as a museum in 1992 and is now managed by Heritage Malta.