Wirt Ghawdex has urged Heritage Malta to take immediate action in making the necessary repairs to the historic Ta’ Kola Windmill in Xaghra, the blades of which were damaged by the recent strong winds.

Any neglect might lead to irreparable damage to the only functional windmill left on the island, the NGO said.

The Ta’ Kola windmill was built in 1725 during the magistracy of Grandmaster Manoel de Vilhena (1722-36). It was equipped with a large water cistern, a workshop, and living quarters for the miller and his family. Its building was financed by the Manoel Foundation, set up to fund windmills in order to sustain the demands of the increasing population of Malta and Gozo.

The windmill was so active during the 18th century that it had to be restored several times. Eventually, it was rebuilt in 1787 on the order of Baron Francesco Gauci on behalf of the Manoel Foundation. The mill appears to have been a valuable, thriving business since the annual rent for the building increased as it passed from owner to owner.

This windmill changed hands several times up to the early 20th century when it came into ownership of the Grech family. Grech senior was named Nikola, or ‘Kola for short, hence the local name for the mill today. The mill passed to his son, Guzeppi, who lived there until his death in 1987.

The windmill was then acquired by the State to ensure its preservation, and was opened to the public as a museum in 1992.

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