Windmills in Gozo

Being a small island, the inhabitants of Gozo always knew that resources were scarce. So, they always lived in a self sufficient way so as to survive in such a place.

In the past, Gozo was served with a number of windmills. The main purpose of these windmills was to produce flour in order to make the daily bread. As the name suggests, these “factories” were powered by wind as electricity was not even a dream at that time. Giant sails rotated wooden shafts and flour was made. 

a stone windmill in good condition

Building a mill was rather expensive. Nobel men or Grand Masters used to finance the construction, and someone for the local village would work the mill. The recently renovated mill is found in Xewkija and it is worth a visit. In the village of Xaghra, you will find Ta’ Kola windmill next to the Ggantija Temple. Inside the mill is a small museum. Other mills are present but are abandoned and collapsing. 

an abandoned windmill in a field next to a cactus tree

There was a time when mills were powered by donkey. This was common during the war. So as the mill would be camouflaged  with residential buildings, the tower supporting the sails would be dismantled. This way, the enemy airplane would not distinguish the mill and attack it!!

A unique mill is present in Xlendi bay. Hidden deep inside the solid bedrock, this unique mill was powered by electricity using modern mechanism. The Xlendi mill was constructed during the Cold War period due to fears of a nuclear attack on Europe. Being recently restored, you can contact Munxar Local Council to visit the underground mill. 

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