Xarolla Windmill, Historical windmill in Zurrieq, Malta
Xarolla Windmill is a round stone tower in Zurrieq with rotating sails and approximately 50 steps leading to the milling mechanism at the top. The building was expanded over the decades to add living spaces for the miller and his family.
Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena ordered this mill's construction in 1724 as part of Malta's grain production efforts. A second floor was added a few decades later to accommodate the miller's growing household.
The ground floor workshop displays traditional milling tools, while the first floor shows the miller's living quarters with original furniture and kitchen equipment. These spaces reveal how a milling family lived in the 18th century.
Access is typically available on weekends in the morning, and visitors should check ahead with Zurrieq Local Council about visiting times and tour options. Comfortable shoes are recommended since there are many steep steps to climb and the interior spaces are compact.
Following comprehensive restoration work in the early 2000s, this remains the only operational windmill across the Maltese islands. Its milling mechanisms still function and demonstrate how grain was processed into flour.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
