Ta' Kola Windmill

Windmill in Victoria (Rabat), Gozo

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Emvin Mifsud

In the charming village of Xagħra, just a short walk from the Ġgantija Temples, stands the Ta' Kola Windmill — one of the last remaining windmills in the Maltese Islands still preserved in its original form. Dating back to the 18th century, this beautifully restored stone windmill offers a fascinating glimpse into Gozo's rural past and the traditional craft of milling grain. With its cylindrical tower, red cap, and sweeping wooden sails, Ta' Kola remains a symbol of the island's self-sufficiency and hardworking heritage.

Built during the period of the Knights of St. John, the windmill originally served as a vital part of everyday life, grinding wheat into flour for the surrounding villages. Inside, visitors can explore the miller's workshop, complete with original tools, grinding stones, and machinery used to maintain the windmill's sails. The upper levels have been transformed into a small museum, where interactive exhibits explain how wind power was harnessed to feed the island's growing population.

One of the highlights of Ta' Kola Windmill is the miller's residence, carefully restored to show how a Gozitan craftsman and his family lived over a century ago. The rooms are furnished with traditional wooden furniture, handmade tools, and everyday objects — from cooking utensils to textiles — giving a warm, authentic sense of domestic life in 19th- and early 20th-century Gozo. This combination of home and workplace makes the windmill unique among Malta's heritage sites.

A visit to Ta' Kola Windmill pairs perfectly with a trip to the nearby Ġgantija Temples, offering a journey from prehistory to the more recent past of rural Gozo. The windmill's hilltop location provides lovely countryside views, and the on-site staff are always happy to share stories about the island's milling traditions. Whether you're a history lover, a family traveler, or simply curious about Gozo's local culture, Ta' Kola Windmill offers a captivating and well-preserved window into the island's hardworking heritage.

The Ta' Kola Windmill appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Victoria (Rabat), Gozo!

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!