Victoria & the Citadella★★★
Victoria (Rabat) is Gozo's capital and only urban center — a lively town with 6,000 inhabitants, crowned by the Citadella, a medieval fortress that has watched over the entire island for centuries.
The Citadella
Gozo's absolute highlight. The Citadella was built on the highest point of the island and offers a 360° panoramic view over all of Gozo, to Malta, and on clear days to Sicily. The fortress was the refuge for the Gozitans during pirate raids for centuries — the entire population took shelter here. After a devastating Ottoman raid in 1551, during which almost the entire population was enslaved, the Citadella was massively expanded.
Within the walls, you will find:
- Cathedral of the Assumption: The baroque cathedral (1697–1711) has a fascinating feature: the painted false dome. Due to a lack of funds for a real dome, Antonio Manuel painted a deceptively real dome on the flat ceiling — an optical illusion that works perfectly from below.
- Old Prisons: Cells with centuries-old graffiti by prisoners — ships, crosses, and names carved into the limestone.
- Natural History Museum & Archaeological Museum: Both small but with interesting finds from Gozo's long history.
- Bastions: The walk along the fortress walls is the real star — a different, breathtaking view from every side.
Citadella admission: The fortress itself is freely accessible. Museums and cathedral: 5€ each or combo ticket 9€.
Victoria Old Town
Below the Citadella lies Victoria's vibrant old town with Pjazza Indipendenza (It-Tokk) as its center. Here, Gozitans meet for morning coffee, shopping at the market, and evening chats. The streets around the square are full of bakeries, wine shops, and small restaurants. Best visited in the morning when the market is in full swing.
