Xarolla

Abstract

On a high point to the south of Zurrieq, built in the eighteenth century, stands Xarolla Windmill. Below it lies what remains of a late Roman catacomb cluster. The site, at Triq Sant' Andrija, measures c.30mts in length and lies along Triq Sant' Andrija which leads to Bakkari on the south. Until a year ago, it was an asphalted road. The site was briefly mentioned by Caruana in the late nineteenth century but remained unexplored. The road was opened up several times in the last fifty years to pass through various services: drainage, telephones, water, electricity. This necessitated cutting channels into the rock. The catacombs must have been immediately visible but no report was made to the Museums Department. Recently, however, interest in the site was revived through the Zurrieq Local Council which planned to create a garden area around the newly renovated windmill.