The Maltese for windmill is il-mithna tar-rih.
There are two workable windmills within Malta - at
Xaghra and Xarolla at Zurrieq,
and a third at Qala retains sails.
The mills are universally tower mills, normally mounted on a square or rectangular base,
though round and other shapes do exist.
tower mill
The neighbouring building was blown up on about the 20/3/08 - it housed an illegal fireworks factory.
Two people were killed, and blast damaged the other side of the street, making the houses uninhabitable.
The mill appears to be undamaged, though apparently it was due to be sold the same day as the blast.
Naxxar, 24/3/08
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windpumps
There are numerous metal wind engines, used to pump water, throughout the islands.
These are typically American brands - Aermotor is one such, but other types also exist.
tower mill
- house converted.
The mill has a commanding view, and is therefore itself visible from all directions.
There are many classic images of the mill seen through an archway of the nearby aqueduct - this still works as
a viewpoint, though the road is recently upgraded as a result of EU money.
Ghasri, 27/3/08
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tower mill
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retained sails for many years, but one report says no internal machinery.
However sails were broken in storms in 2006, and still in 2008 seem to be in their broken positions, including one caught
on the point of the cap. The walls are now heavily scarred where the cables from the broken sails have been
swinging against the tower.
Qala, c1990 Qala, 26/3/08
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Il-Mithna:
tower mill
-
Tower is truncated - according to the owner of the "Antique Engines and Vintage Machines" alongside, this happened
in the 1940s. Now house converted.
Two five foot diameter millstones, missing their iron rings, are standing in the garden.
Xaghra, 26/3/08 Xaghra, 26/3/08
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Antique Engines and Vintage Machines:
Collection of machinery
The private collection of Mr K Hili, a retired mechanic/engineer, these engines have been collected over
about the past 20 years.
The collection includes at least 2 wind engine (windpump) roses, and a number of other wind engine parts, including
both square and triangular windpump towers. The rest of the collection also includes a Desert Rats armoured car,
a military Austin, 2nd WW generators, various sized stationary engines, radios, a number of classic cars,
airplane propellors, model steam engines, and a lemonade bottling plant. The collection may be open at chance times,
and a charity donation is appreciated.
Xaghra, 26/3/08
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[Search Muggeridge Collection]
Ta' Kola:
tower mill
-
In potentially working condition, open as a museum.
An RSJ supports the stone floor, and the stone steps have been supplemented by a wooden stair shim, so that
the stairs rise more steeply to clear the RSJ.
Within the museum, as of March 2008 it had just taken delivery of the machinery from a commercial bakery, which
is being added as a new exhibit. One sail is currently broken.
A number of millstones are leant against the outside of the base.
Xaghra, 26/3/08 Xaghra, 26/3/08 Xaghra, 26/3/08 Xaghra, 26/3/08 Xaghra, 26/3/08 Xaghra, 26/3/08 Xaghra, 26/3/08 Xaghra, 26/3/08 Xaghra, 26/3/08 Xaghra, 26/3/08 Xaghra, c1990
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