Xewkija Mill was built during the time of the Knights, precisely in 1710, under the leadership of Grand Master Raymundo Perellos (1697-1720). Contrary to how the mills were built at the time of the Knights of St John, Xewkija mill was not built on a hill but on a flat stretch of land on the outskirts of Xewkija. This mill was the second one built in Gozo and is the oldest existing one on the island. The other mills in Gozo were built later, and some of them under the British. This mill functioned from 1710 to 1886. It has an octagonal shape, ie with eight points. It was built facing the main winds with its walls facing North, South, West, East, Southwest, Southeast, and Northeast.
This mill was restored to its former glory in 2021 when an extensive restoration programme was completed by the Ministry for Gozo & Planning with the financial support of European funds. The inauguration took place on January 29, 2021. The restoration, both on the inside of the mill and on its facades, was carried out by professional skilled workers. Sanitary facilities were added and a building that did not originally exist in the 1700s was demolished to make way for an outside space designed to cater for folk activities. The mill still features original slabs. Since the original wooden mechanism was burnt in the 1920s, a new mechanism made up of iroko, red deal, white ash and pine wood, was manufactured by two carpenters within the Ministry for Gozo & Planning and installed on site by Heritage Malta. The ‘pinnur’, ‘delujiet’, ‘buttun’ and other small accessories were placed in situ by skilled workers under the observation and advice of an expert who had already worked on the Kola Mill, in Xagħra. Finally, the ‘kappell’ and the sails were installed. All restoration work was carried out with the technical assistance and advice of the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage.
And once it has been restored, the mill is being opened every day for visitors, and free of charge, and is being used as a hub where folklore activities and other events related to our island’s heritage take place.
