Xewkija’s unique 18th century windmill now open to the public

The restoration project on Xewkija’s unique 18th century windmill has been inaugurated, and is now open to the public free of charge.

The Ministry for Gozo in a statement, said that “a substantial part” of the €500,000 renovation costs were financed through European funds and included extensive work on both the inside and outside of the windmill.

The inauguration was carried out by Minister for Gozo, Clint Camilleri, accompanied by the Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi.

The windmill, which is the oldest surviving one on Gozo, was commissioned by Grand Master Perellos in the beginning of the 18th century, it is the only windmill that has the tower based on an octagonal base.

The project included the creation of a small piazza area around the Grade 1 scheduled building, therefore improving the viewing experience and accessibility of the Xewkija Windmill.

The windmill’s mechanism has been reconstructed and conservation works included the removal of metallic inserts and cement renders, the replacement of the windmill’s concrete roof with traditional stone slabs and the cleaning of the stone.

With the assistance of Heritage Malta and other professionals, items associated with a mill were also replaced, including the pin, the hopper, the hub and other small accessories. All the machinery was also reworked since the original had been lost in a fire in the 1920s.

New public convenience facilities have been constructed adjacent to the windmill. The necessary electricity, water and engineering were also installed, suitable tools were used to carry out the work so that no damage was caused to the structure of the windmill.The windmill consists of a large entrance hall, two large parallel rooms, and a kitchen at the back and started operating in 1710 by miller Ganni Scicluna. In the middle there is the garigor leading up to the roof of the tower. Above the entrance hall is a birth room.

The windmill, in 1956, served as the first location of the Xewkija Band Club. It was used by the band club’s committee until 1965. Since then the windmill had remained empty and unused.

“The mill will also be used as a hub where traditional folklore activities will take place, as well as to host educational talks about the mill and its interesting history,” Camilleri said.

The Minister thanked all those who contributed to this the project including the directors, the project manager, government employees, Gozitan carpenters and the NGO Wirt Ghawdex.

Parliamentary Secretary Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said that the restoration of this mill, will continue to strengthen the Gozitan cultural heritage so that future generations will be able to appreciate the historical heritage left to us by our ancestors.

Photos MGOZ