Xarolla windmill restoration

An embellished Xarolla Windmill, in Zurrieq, which cost about Lm90,000 to restore, was inaugurated on August 6 by Infrastructure and Resources Minister Ninu Zammit. This is another jewel of our island not to be missed by Maltese and tourists.

The work on this interesting site not only enhanced the windmill but also uncovered the catacombs and gave a much-needed facelift to the chapel of St Andrew and the cemetery on the site.

We residents of Zurrieq used to feel very upset when we used to see the catacombs, the chapel and the cemetery in such a horrible state when we knew their great historical and architectural value. These places had been neglected for years and turned into a rubbish dump.

As the councillor responsible for culture, and therefore also for the windmill, I feel obliged to heartily thank Minister Zammit for the restoration work on the exterior of Xarolla windmill, of St Andrew chapel; a wall which was obstructing the chapel was removed and replaced with a low boundary wall and decorative railings. The catacombs area was also cleaned and three new tombs were excavated where the access to the catacombs was enhanced. I must also thank the workmen and their foremen for a job well done.

Minister Zammit was right to describe the site as a "minor archaeological park" and now it is our responsibility to keep it clean and free from vandalism. We should all remember the money and efforts spent on this national heritage, and so it should be well maintained as I am sure that all of us intend to do.

My congratulations to Minister Zammit for this latest in a series of renovations and embellishments projects (Lower Barrakka, Upper Barrakka, St Thomas Bay, Bugibba and Paceville) carried out in the space of 16 months.