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A Complete Guide To Maltese Windmills And Their History

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Windmills were a huge deal back in the day, even in Malta. We used them as grain mills, which meant we depended on these weirdly-built structures in order to have bread — our staple food throughout the centuries.

Most of them were built by the Knights of St. John, the first one being built in the 1530s.

Now, Lascaris was a proper windmill fanboy, so he built four of them in Malta and another one in Gozo.

When Cottoner came about, him and his brother decided that they need to start a windmill competition just like the forts one, so they started building these useful mills all over the place.These include windmills in Żejtun, Zurrieq, Birkirkara, Gudja, Naxxar, Żurrieq and Lija.

By the 19th century we had around 31 windmills in the Maltese islands, some of which stayed in operation till the 20th century.

Mills, like anything else the Knights did here, were built strategically.

Every windmill in the country could see its neighbour mill well so that the miller would know if his grain buddies are working on the day. Kind of like how towers were in visible distance of each other and they could signal with fire.

Windmills had more or less the same structure; there was the tromba thing built atop a (more or less) squarish building. The tromba had some grinding gear in it, generally grinding stones.

The squarish bottom part usually had a couple of rooms for grain reception and flour storage. Most millers lived in the back part of the building along with their families.

1. Ta’ Marżiena

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Photo by W. Jellema

This grain mill is found between Sannat and Victoria in Gozo. It was built around 1783 and can still be seen today. Of course it’s not in use anymore, and the sails were removed. It’s still a pretty sight though.

2. T’Għuxa

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This Bormliża was constructed back in 1674 near the chapel of San Ġwann t’Għuxa. Built by the Cottoner brothers who totally started out this whole windmill business. This mill was used for it’s proper function up until the 19th century, but nowadays it’s been left to crumble… and eventually make space for a massive high-rise, probably.

3. Bir Għeliem

This sexy roundabout mill is still totally intact and well-kept to this day. It’s kind of in between Żabbar and Żejtun. It was used as a redoubt back during the French Blockade to keep the area safe. It was used as shelter for the Maltese troops. It is one of the few existing windmills in the Żejtun area and many of its original features are still intact. Sweet.

4. Ta’ Randu

This Qala cutie is almost totally intact. It was born in 1853 and kept on working up until 1977, which means that is is one of the last few windmills to keep functioning.

It’s an extremely well preserved specimen, and the roof is so cute we cannot get over it, honestly.

5. Il-Qadima

This adorable red windmill in Mosta was dismantled way back in the 1920s. Grandmaster Carafa’s coat of arms can still be seen on this beaut. Carafa stopped being a GM in 1690… because him dying kind of got in the way of his career and all.

This windmill weirdly bares the date 1757. Why are you so confusing windmill?

It doesn’t matter, it stopped being used in 1925 anyway.

6. Ta’ Ganu

Ta’ Ganu mill is a pretty example of how to keep windmills alive. Found in Triq il-Mitħna Birkirkara, this one was built in the 18th century by de Vilhena and nowadays houses one of the island’s most prolific art studios run by the acclaimed Gabriel Caruana.

7. Santa Luċija

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Photo by W.Jellema

Nowadays converted into a private house, most of this lovely 18th century mill’s features are still intact. Not much is known about this Naxxar beauty, except that the tower looks like a cone and it’s used as an art studio too.

8. Xarolla

One of the most famous windmills on our island, the Xarolla is found in Żurrieq and is the only one that can still totally function. It was built in the 18th century and was also built by de Vilhena. A couple of years later, a second floor was added to it so that the miller operating it could move in with his family. You can still visit this mill because it was converted in a museum a couple of years back.

There’s some catacombs in the area too, if you’re not up for going all the way to Żurrieq for a windmill.

9. Ta’ Kola

A Xagħra cutie which was also converted into a museum back in the 90s.

It was built by de Vilhena in the 1700s and most of its original features are still completely intact. There’s a lot of tools, the miller’s house is still equipped with a bunch of old stuff, including the kitchenware and bedrooms.

Did we miss out on any really cool windmills? Post photos of your favourites in the comments below and tag someone who’d love to visit these!

READ NEXT: 7 Reasons Why Żurrieq Is Malta’s Hidden Gem

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