Ta’ Kola Windmill in Xaghra is a typical Gozoan windmill built 1725 by the Knights of Malta. Named after the last miller, it has been restored with the original machinery and is the only windmill open to the public.
The cylindrical stone tower contains the grinding machinery and is surrounded by a rectangular building containing working and living quarters. When we visited in May 2012, the tower was shut with no sails and surrounded by scaffolding.
The ground floor would have been the workshop and storage area. The operation and upkeep of the windmill required a knowledge of different trades like carpentry, smithing and stone dressing. When the mill was not working, the miller also carried out other jobs for the community like sharpening tools, repairing carts and horse shoeing. There is a smithy with a display of tools, many made by the miller. The two storage rooms have information boards on farming and bread making, as well as examples of different types of scales, grain measures and hand querns.
The first floor was the living quarters of the miller and his family. The kitchen, dining room and bedrooms have been recreated with traditional furniture. A spiral stair case leads to the upper part of the mill with the milling equipment.
