The windmill in Għasri (between Għammar and Għasri) on “Lighthouse Street” reportedly built in 1858 and destroyed in 1939 — with both the confirmed details and the gaps/uncertainties.
✅ What is known
A specialist listing of Gozo windmills (via Vassallo History – Windmills) lists a windmill in Għasri called “Tal-Fanal” built in 1858 by Luigi Camilleri, described as “a completely wooden tower”.
The same listing records that this windmill was “destroyed by a whirlwind” circa 1939.
The general database “Windmills of Malta” (via windmillsofmalta.nl) lists for Gozo a windmill in Għasri, tower type, built 1858, destroyed during a whirlwind in 1939.
One other source (“A Focus on Gozo – The Gozitan Windmills” by University of Malta) mentions: “The windmill at Gnasri in Lighthouse Street was destroyed by a whirlwind which hit that part of the Island around 1939.”
Thus, the key historical facts: built 1858, in Għasri, located on Lighthouse Street (or nearby that route) and destroyed by a whirlwind around 1939.
⚠️ What remains uncertain or lacking detail
The original builder/owner is recorded as Luigi Camilleri in one secondary list; I was unable to locate a primary archival deed verifying that.
The construction detail “completely wooden tower” is exceptional (most Gozo windmills are stone or masonry) and so may need verification. The listing says it was “a completely wooden tower”.
I did not find a detailed architectural description (plans, internal machinery, floors) of this particular windmill in the sources I checked.
The precise street address and map location (“Lighthouse Street between Għasri and Għammar”) is described in the user query, but I did not find an official record giving “Lighthouse Street” as the formal address of the windmill in those archival sources.
There is no modern photograph (online) easily found that shows the windmill intact (it appears to have been destroyed and likely no longer exists).
The cause “whirlwind” is given (in two sources) but I did not find a local newspaper account (1939) verifying this event or giving exact date/time.
🔍 Construction & historical context
Date/Build: 1858 (one listing). This places it in the mid-19th century period when private windmills proliferated in Gozo (after the government monopoly ended).
Material/Structure: According to the Vassallo list, this windmill was “completely wooden tower” — which is unusual in Gozo. The typical Gozo windmill is a stone cylindrical tower with attached rooms and sometimes a cap with sails. The fact that this mill may have been wood suggests either it was a lighter or smaller construction, or it was a special design.
Function: As with other Gozo windmills, it likely served to grind local cereals (wheat/barley) for the surrounding farmland of Għasri/Għammar. The strategic location (between the two villages) would make sense for capturing wind and serving multiple hamlets.
Operation and demise: Operating for approximately 80 years (1858 → ~1939). As industrial milling (steam, electric) became dominant in the early 20th century, many windmills ceased operation, but this one appears to have remained standing until destroyed by natural forces. The statement “destroyed by a whirlwind” suggests a storm/event blew down or heavily damaged the structure.
Legacy: Because it was destroyed, only historical records remain; it may have been replaced by other milling methods or reused site-wise. The absence of surviving structure means little physical investigation is possible today (unless remains exist underground or in rubble).
Location context: The reference to “Lighthouse Street” is likely because the mill was located on the route from the village of Għasri to the hill of Ta’ Ġurdan Hill (the lighthouse hill) or the settlement area between Għasri and Għammar. That hill/lighthouse (Ta’ Ġurdan) is well known in the village and the route is locally significant. So the windmill’s siting would link it with wind-catching high ground and agricultural hinterland.
Why built in 1858: In Gozo, after the repeal of the windmill monopoly in the 1830s/40s, private individuals (like the Camilleri brothers/families) built windmills to serve the local grain economy. This windmill fits that pattern (date, private builder). Source: general windmill history.
🧮 Summary
The windmill in Għasri (referred to as Tal-Fanal in one list), built in 1858 by Luigi Camilleri, stood on the route between Għasri and Għammar (on Lighthouse Street). It was in service to grind local cereals during the 19th century. It was destroyed by a whirlwind around 1939. Because of its wooden-tower construction and demolition, it now survives only in historical listings and perhaps some archival photographs.