Windmills

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There have been a good number of windmills in Malta and Gozo. At least 69 stone windmills. Almost all the windmills were grain mills. There were about 54 in Malta and 15 in Gozo. Only 2 of these mills still have sails.

In 1530 there was one windmill in Malta and in 1565 two. Those were post mills in what now is Senglea.   The post mill is the earliest type of European windmill. The defining feature is that the whole body of the mill that houses the machinery is mounted on a single vertical post, around which it can be turned to bring the sails into the wind.This technology was introduced in Malta by the Knights of St John in 1530 from Rhodes.

Nearly all the windmills have been built by the Knights of St John. Most of the windmills were built between 1663 and 1773. But earlier there were those built by Lascaris (1636-1657). Lascaris commissioned 4 in Malta and 1 in Gozo.

Grandmaster Nicola Cotoner (1663-1680) and his brother Rafael (1660-1663) built the mills in Bormla, Zebbug, Floriana (2), Naxxar and Zurrieq. Later they built the mills in Lija, Zejtun, Gudja and another one in Zebbug. The technology of these windmills was introduced from the Balearic Islands. Cottoner came from those islands.

Another Grandmaster who commissioned windmills was Antonio Manoel de Vilhena (1722-1736). He built 5 mills namely in Rabat, Ghargur , Zurrieq , Birkirkara , and one between Ghaxag and Zejtun.

Round 1726 another 3 mills were built in Gozo and another one in Naxxar.

At that time there were 16 windmills in operation. In 1826 there were 26 in Malta and 5 in Gozo.

Every windmill was in sight of its neighbouring windmills from the openings in the tower so that the miller could see whether the others were working or not. This situation might have made windmills a part of a communication and defence system.

The monopoly on windmills by the Government ended in 1838. Everybody was allowed to build a windmill. A lot of windmills were built from 1838.

Most of the mills were already relicts in 1900 as a consequence of the introduction of steam driven mills. Steam mills developed progressively round Grand Harbour.

Almost all the windmills have the same building plan. The tower (tromba) is surrounded by a stone quadrangular building. The tower is 3 metres in diameter and is 15 metres high.

The main entrance gave access to a hall. On both sides of the hall there were two rooms, one for the reception of grain and the other for the storage of flour. Behind the hall there was the entrance to the tower and the about 50 circular steps (garigor) in the tower. The room behind the hall and the rooms on the first floor were used by the miller and its family.

The mechanism was of a normal type and was located at the top of the tower. Mostly it operated one pair of grinding stones.

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A List of Windmills

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Location	Name of mill	Built	Notes
Attard		1862	Demolished, base remains.
Birkirkara	Ta’ Ganu’s Mill	1724	Built in 1724 by Manoel de Vilhena. Was in use till 1929. After World War II it was still serving as a blacksmith’s workshop. In 1985/9 the building was restored. The stairs were rebuilt and  water and electricity introduced. Now a ceramist Gabriel Caruana, keeps the mill alive turning out his own work and exhibiting those of other artists.
Birkirkara	Ghar il-Gobon Mill	c. 1685	Built by Grand Master Gregorio Carafa . Is in the area of Has-Sajjied.  It was converted into a house.
Birkirkara			This was a saw mill, long since vanished. The building it stood on now sports a small model windmill.
Cospicua	San Gwann t’Ghuxa Mill	1674	This mill was built by the Cottoner brothers in 1674.
Cospicua	St Margaret Mill	1674	Its mechanism was dismantled to restore the Ta’ Xarolla windmill in Zurrieq during the 1970s.
Floriana	St Francis Ravelin	c. 1670	Demolished
Floriana	St Francis St / Sarria St (2nd mill)	c. 1670	Demolished
Floriana	Pjazza Robert Samut		Demolished
Għargħur	Għargħur Mill	1724	Built in 1724 by Manoel de Vilhena on a hill. Mill and base are in use as a private residence and an extension to the base was built. It is not known when the mill was dismantled. Next to the mill is a historic stone  water tank.
Gudja		c. 1670	Demolished 1930
Kalkara	Fort Ricasoli Mill	1834	Demolished
Kirkop			Demolished
Lija	Tal-Mirakli Mill/Ghadiret il-Bordi Mill	1674	Built by Cotoner in 1674, probably on the foundation of an old church. Cotoner was also the owner. Later the mill became a blacksmith’s forge till 1991. The mill has a round base, which is very unusally in Malta. The Ghadiriet il-Bordi windmill in Tal-Mirakli in Lija has been handed over from the Government to the Lija Local Council.  In 1992 the mill is restored and rebuilt. It is used by the local Council for cultural and social activities.
Luqa		c. 1650	Demolished 1943
Mellieha		Late 17th century	This was the last of the 3 mills built in Mellieha. It has been converted to a restaurant specialising in fish.
Mellieha	New Mill Street	c. 1849	Demolished
Mellieha	Old Mill Street	c. 1800	Demolished in 1920, base remains converted to a house.
Mosta	Mosta Mill	17th century	Probably built by Lascaris. House conversion
Mosta	Jesus of Nazareth Mill	1757	Part of the machinery is still there. The base and the base of the tower is reddish. On the main door of this windmill there is the coat of arms of Grand Master Gregorio Carafa (1680-1690) which may indicate that an earlier structure already existed before the present building which bears the date 1757. Its architect was Francesco Zerafa and the capomastro was Master Nicola Camilleri of Siggiewi. It was converted to a farmhouse.
Mqabba	Mqabba Mill	18th century	Lost its sails in 1870. In use as a private house.
Naxxar	Tas-Sghajtar Mill	c. 1670	Built by Cotoner.  In use as a private house.  There are no stairs in the tower.
Naxxar	Tal-Ghaqba Mill	1710 century	Built by Perellos. The machinery is largely present. The base is in use as a private house. The tower was restored in 2002.
Naxxar	Ta’ Darninu Mill	18th century	Ta ‘Darninu (Ninu’s house) is located in a new housing estate. The tower is on a high base. The neighbouring building was blown up by an illegal fireworks accident on 28 March 2008.  The mill was undamaged.  It was converted to a private residence.
Naxxar	Santa Lucija Mill	18th century	The tower still has a conical roof. House conversion.  Used also as an art studio.
Naxxar	Old Mill	c. 1730	Built by Manoel de Vilhena. However the date 1828 is inscribed on a wall. There is no machinery left and base and tower are in use as a private house. Probabaly dismantled a very long time ago.
Paola			Demolished
Qormi	Qormi Mill	c. 1685	Before this mill was built there were a lot of mule-driven flour mills in Qormi.  Most of the bread in Malta came Qormi up till there was built a bakery in Valletta by the Order of St.John. The Sammut family were the owners of this mill. Built by Carafa.
Qrendi	Qrendi Mill	c. 1695	Built by Caraffa.  In use as workshop. Next to the mill is a stone quarry. The stone niche is dedicated to Santa Katerina whose chapel is located a few meters away.
Rabat	Ta’ Gakki Mill	18th century	In use as a private house. Against the base there is a mill stone.
Rabat	Rabat Mill	c. 1685	Built by Carafa.  Above the main door there is the Grandmaster’s coat of arms – now defaced. House conversion
Rabat	Tal-Balla Mill/ Ta Gheriexem Mill	c. 1730	Built by Manoel de Vilhena. The mill is surrounded by houses and can hardly be seen. In use as a private house.
Senglea	Windmill Hill Mill	1536	This was a post mill.  The mills in Senglea were the earliest referred to in engravings. Built by the Knights of St John intoducing the technology from Rhodes.
Senglea	Windmill Hill Mill		This was a post mill
Siġġiewi	Siġġiewi Mill	18th century	The tower was in a bad state and it has a typical roof. In the tower there was a spiral staircase. On this windmill tower was a water tank  of the Water Services Corporation. Since the water pressure is today generated by electric water pumps, the tank has been removed.
Siġġiewi	Tal-Barba Zepp Mill	1879	Built by Joseph Sammut. The mill had  already been dismantled in 1939  when Sammut sold it to a Canadian Mr Alan Bartram in 1969. He restorded the mill. After he died the mill changed hands many times. The present owners have added some features on the front. Nowadays John Beckson owns the mill.  The tower has 44 steps, now 39. From the rooftop you could see the Xarolla windmill. The Sammut-family possessed also the windmills in Mill Street Qormi, 2 other mills in Siggiewi and the Xarolla windmill at Zurrieq. The mill has 1 door instead of 2.
Siġġiewi	Ta’ Kerceppu Mill	c. 1650	Built by Lascaris
Tarxien			There is no tower left. The square base is in use as a storeroom for the feast of Our Lady Tad-Duttrina.
Valletta	St Michael’s Bastion No. 1 Mill	1674	On St Michael’s Bastion there used to be several windmills overlooking Marsamuscetto harbour. Unfortunately, these were subsequently removed and only the name of the adjacent street, Windmills Street, remains as a reminder. Built by Fondazione Cotoner in 1674. The windmills were used for the production of flour. One can still see old paintings of them standing out majestically over Marsamxett harbour. In 1850 the mills were still there. It was definitely demolished by 1900.
Valletta	St Michael’s Bastion No. 2 Mill	1674	Built by Fondazione Cotoner in 1674. It was demolished post 1890
Valletta	St Elmo’s Mill		Demolished
Żabbar	Ta’ Kola Mill		House conversion
Żabbar	Ta’ Buleben Mill	c. 1710	Built by Perellos 1697-1720. There have been more windmills in this area. The tower has 46 steps. The mill is used as a residence by the Apap family. There are various markings on the tower and under the first step. The surroundings of the roof have been heightened with 2 courses. There is still an original window on the backsite.
Żebbuġ	Tal-Ghodu Mill	1680s	The outside has been restored. In use as a private house. Built by Grandmasters Nicholas Cotoner and Gregoire Carafa between 1680 and 1690. There is a coat of arms on the base above the front door.
Żebbuġ	Ta’ Srina Mill	c. 1685	Built by Carafa about 1685. A low tower. In use as a private house. No machinery left.
Żebbuġ	Ta’ Canfut Mill	c. 1670	Built by Cotoner an Ta’ Canfut in the 17th century. Was in use as an abattoir and in 1911 as a lime kiln. There is no tower left which was demolished by early 20th century.
Żejtun	Bir-id-Deheb Mill	c. 1730	Built by Manoel de Vilhena. Broken down about 1960. Nothing left.
Żejtun		c. 1670	Demolished
Żejtun			Demolished
Żurrieq	Tax-Xarolla Mill / 35.831806; 14.480694	1724	This windmill known as tax-Xarolla, was built by Grandmaster Manoel de Vilhena in 1724. In 1791 a second floor was built as living quarters for the miller’s family. In 1992 it was restored to its original working order and now is the only functioning windmill in Malta. It can still grain the wheat. In  2000 this building was passed over to be administered by the Zurrieq Local Council to serve also as a cultural centre. Was still grinding grain in 1939 after which it fell slowly into disrepair. Last miller was Gann Patist Sammut. Around 1960 it was restored for £ 1000. In 1978 its sails were destroyed in a storm. The windmill was restored in working order in 1996. It has a rotating roof.  The tower has 50 steps.  On the 5th of March 2009 the sail cross was extensively damaged by a gale force wind.
Żurrieq	Mithna Tas-Salib	1857	Built in 1857. The windmill known as tas-Salib was built by the Gafa` family and owes its name to the village cross situated just to the south west of the same windmill.  Emanuel Camilleri was once an owner just as his father. The mill is the residence of the Sammut Family. Was used as a windmill till 1930. In 1930 it was motorised. Dismantled about 1945. Until the late 1980s it was almost detached. The tower has 60 steps. There are still parts of the machinery. It is the only mill built with two floors (a ground floor and first floor in the square base). The ground floor was used for storage purposes, whilst the first floor was used as living quarters.
Żurrieq	Ta’ Mamara` Mill	1724	Near Tal-Qaret. Built in 1724 by Grandmaster Manoel de Vilhena. The mill is known as Ta’ Marmara being the surname of the first miller – Luret Marmara’
Żurrieq	Tal-Qaret Mill	1674	Built in the days of Grandmaster Nicola Cotoner. The place is called tal-Qaret. There is a mill stone outside. The last miller was Karmenu Zammit.

Gozo

Location	Name of mill	Built	Notes
Fontana	Ix-Xaghri Mill	c. 1856
Gharb	Gharb Mill	1865	Dismantled c. 1900 and replaced by a steam-driven mill
Għasri	Tal-Fanal	1858	Built in 1858 by Luigi Camilleri. It was a completely wooden tower. In 1939 it was destroyed by a whirlwind.
Għasri	Wilgastreet	1859	Demolished
Għasri	Għasri MillTa Nicholas Mill	1724	Demolished 1784
Għasri	Ta Nikolas Mill	1784	The mill was built in 1724. There was a bakery attached to the mill.  The mill had to be rebuilt in 1784. Mill was again in operation inApril 1784. The miller was Giorgio Xicluna. The tower has a conical roof. It is now used as a farmhouse.
Kerċem	Santa Lucija Mill	c. 1870	A small mill. Has a peaked roof.  Mill remains.
Munxar	Ta’ Marziena Mill	c. 1783	The mill was built between Victoria and Sannat under supervision of Angelo Camilleri in place of the mill in the outskirts of Victoria (replaced by a Hospital now the Seminary). The mill got two new millstones and became in use on 30 April 1783.
Nadur		1727	Built by Manoel de Vilhena (1722-1736). The mill was built unsound like the ones in Xaghra and Ghasri. Ceased operating on 9 May 1787. Rebuilt on another site.
Nadur	Ta ‘Sufa Mill	1787	The mill replaced another one built in 1727. This mill readyon 9th November 1787. It was handed over to Damiano Xicluna on 10 November. He was the son of Marcello Xicluna the miller in Xaghra. He later migrated  to Malta. He married Maria Vella in Qrendi on 28 September 1807. In the mid of the 19th century the three Camilleri brothers owned the mill. It is situatednear Kenuna Semaphore Tower (1848).
Qala	Qala Mill	c. 1860	Built in 1860 by the Camilleri brothers. The mill is very well preserved. There is no machiney , but the mill has its 6 stocks.  Most windmills were replaced by steam mill and later by motor mills. Was used until the late 1960s now and then for grinding flour. After that the mill was sold.  In the beginning of 2006 one of the stocks were broken off in a heavy storm.
Qala	Ta’ Sufa Mill	1853	The brothers Lorenzo, Giuseppe and Randu Camilleri settled in Gozo in the mid 19th century. In 1853 they built this windmill situated between Nadur and Qala. Named after its owner. It is in a bad condition. During the second world war it was used as a private residence by the Pool family.
Sannat	Sannat Mill	c. 1860	Built by the Camilleri brothers. In use as a windmill till about 1900. Then it was used as a lime kiln. Perhaps the millstones and its fittings went to the mill in Qala.  The base is almost complete, but the tower is partly demolished in 1940. Was partly restored in 2005.
Victoria		1680	Built by Carafa. It is said to be the first windmill in Gozo, but perhaps Lascaris built one sooner (ca 1650). In 1667 the mill was in a very bad condition and in 1781 the mill was sold and demolished. A new hospital was built on the spot which is now the Gozo Seminary. Between Victoria and Sannat  a new windmill was built about 1783.
Xagħra		1725	It was built in 1725, one of twelve windmills built by the Knights of Malta under Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena. Completed in 1731. Rebuilt on another place about 1785. Demolished in 1787
Xagħra	Mithna ta’ Kola	1787	Was first built on another spot 1725 under Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena. Completed in 1731.  Rebuilt in another place about 1785. Came in use by Marcello Xicluna on 1 February 1787. He married Angela Bonello on 5 July 1759 in Xaghra. The last of the millers’ family was Joseph Grech who was known as Zeppu Kola, who passed away on 27 February 1987. It is thanks to him and later to the Museum Authorities that today, Ta’ Kola Windmill is still in a good working condition. Now, under the care of Heritage Malta, the future of the Windmill is guaranteed. Several times damaged by storm. Restoration started in 1990 and opened officially on 6 September 1992.  It is now serving as a museum place. On the 5th of March 2009 the sail cross was extensively damaged by gale force wind. Repaired again in 2010.
Xagħra	Mithna tal-Bwier	19th century	Built in the 19th century. In use till World War II. The millhouse is an self-catering holiday-home.  The millhouse is located exactly opposite the small museum “Antique Engines and Vintage Machines”, roughly 20 m away from the street. There some old mill stones outside.
Xagħra	Ta’ Ghajn Lukin	c. 1940	Demolished 1960s, was an irrigation mill.  It was built by George Bonello from the stones of an earlier windmill built by his father in 1900.
Xagħra	Ta’ Natu	c. 1900	The mill was built by Fortunato Bonello. He had his initials , F.N.printed on the cane baskets. His son George dismantled the mill in around 1940 and rebuilt it a couple of km away in the area of Ghajn Lukin south west of the village for field irrigation. Very low base.
Xewkija	Xewkija Mill	c. 1710	Built by Perellos in the beginning of the 18th century. The tower is placed on an hexagonal base. In use as a living house. The miller in 1738 was Gio Maria Xicluna. The Xicluna family  operated the mill for many years. In the mid of the 19th century the three Camilleri brothers became the owners the mill. The mill ceased operating after a big fire in 1886. The mill still has its original oven.
Żebbuġ		c. 1859	Probably built by Valent Vella in 1859 to replace a mill driven by a donkey. There is no tower left. Ceased working when a steam-driven mill was built. Tower was demolished c. 1900.
Żebbuġ	Ta’ Caqra	c. 1870	Was a small windmill. Ceased working when a steam-driven mill was built. Completely demolished c. 1900.

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Some Photos

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MALTA WINDMILLS

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Attard Windmill

B’Kara – Ta’ Ganu Windmill

Cospicua – San Gwann t’Ghux Windmill

Cospicua – Santa Margerita Windmill

Kalakara – Fort Ricasoli Windmill

Gharghur Windmill

Lija – Tal-Mirakli Windmill

Mellieha – Old Windmill

Mellieha Windmill

Mqabba Windmill

Naxxar – Darninu Windmill

Naxxar – Tal-Ghaqba Windmill

Naxxar – Old Windmill

Qormi Windmill

Qrendi Windmill

Rabat – Tal-Balla/ Gheriexem Windmill

Rabat – Ta’ Gakki Windmill

Siggiewi – Ta’ Barba Zepp Windmill

Siggiewi – Ta’ Kerceppu Windmill

Siggiewi Windmill

Tarxien Windmill

Valletta – St Michael Bastion Windmill

Zabbar – Buleben Windmill

Zabbar – Ta’ Kola Windmill

Zebbug – Ta’ Canfut Windmill

Zebbug – Tal-Ghodu Windmill

Zebbug – Ta’ Srina Windmill

Zejtun – Bir id-Deheb Windmill

Zurrieq – Ta’ Marmara’ Windmill

Zurrieq – Tal-Qaret Windmill

Zurrieq – Tas-Salib Windmill

Zurrieq – Ix-Xarolla Windmill

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GOZO WINDMILLS

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Fontana Windmill

Gharb Windmill

Ghasri – Ta’ Nikolas Windmill

Kercem – Sta Lucija Windmill

Munxar – Ta’ Marziena Windmill

Nadur – Ta’ Sufa Windmill

Qala Windmill

Sannat Windmill

Xaghra – Bwier Windmill

Xaghra – Ta’ Kola Windmill

Xewkija Windmill

Zebbug Windmill