Żurrieq brings together a windmill, churches and chapels dating from different centuries, as well as boat trips at Wied iż-Żurrieq. Its cultural history and coastline appeal to different travel interests. When choosing a hotel for your stay, first consider whether architectural history and sacred art or a trip to the Blue Grotto will be your main focus. The sites offer concrete historical and scenic points of interest to explore.

Windmill, Churches and Chapels

The tax-Xarolla Windmill was built in 1724 by Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena and restored to working order in 1992. In the public garden beside the mill, visitors can see the original mechanisms and watch wheat being ground. This offers a way to combine the building’s history with an insight into milling technology.

The parish church of St Catherine of Alexandria was built between 1634 and 1659 to plans by the architect Lorenzo Gafà. It contains around six paintings by the Italian painter Mattia Preti. The building’s history and its paintings offer two different points of interest for a visit. St James Chapel adds to the historical overview: construction began in 1725; it was completed, blessed and inaugurated in 1731. St Andrew’s Chapel dates from the 17th century and was restored with EU funding under the LEADER programme.

Hal Millieri lies within the Żurrieq locality and adds further traces of history to the picture. In the chapel dedicated to the Annunciation, wall paintings on the side walls point to artistic activity in the 15th century. Il-Lunzjata Chapel stands on the site of a former Roman temple. The design of the 16th-century Bubaqra Tower suggests that it was originally intended as a country residence. These examples differ both in the periods they date from and in the clues offered by their structures and furnishings.

Church Route and Coast

The “Churches and Chapels” heritage trail runs from Kirkop to Żurrieq and passes various places of worship. It offers a themed route for travellers who want to explore churches and chapels together. Each building also presents its own historical themes, from the architecture of a parish church to the wall paintings at Hal Millieri.

At Wied iż-Żurrieq, boat trips offer views of the coastline and take visitors to the Blue Grotto. The grotto is known for its natural arch; during the trip, visitors can also see other caves and the crystal-blue sea. Trips are weather-dependent: if southerly winds cause very rough seas, the Blue Grotto Boat Service suspends operations. Check conditions before setting out so that you can take this restriction into account in your plans.

Discover more destinations: Rabat, Marsaskala, Vittoriosa, Sannat, Gzira, Qormi, Sliema, Żebbuġ.

For the broader travel overview: Malta.