My Escapes Malta Rocky Dry Malta Trip Gozo Island Day Trip Victoria The Victoria Citadel

The Victoria Citadel

The Citadella or Citadel is more than just a fortification, it's a tiny town protected by walls, in the heart of Victoria - capital of Gozo.

The first fort at this spot had been built around 1500 BC and the current one in 1622.

Gozo's capital, Victoria has evolved out of this fortified small town. As the population grew, locals started erecting dwellings outside the walls.

In 1551, a force of 10,000 Ottoman Turks invaded Gozo and besieged the Citadel, which became refuge to 5,000-6,000 people. But the city fell in a few days and almost all of them were taken as slaves to the Ottomans. Slightly more than 300 people managed to escape...

The actual citadel built by the Crown of Aragon has gained its current shape following reconstruction work between 1599-1622.

It was the only fortified refuge for Gozo's entire population until the construction of For Chambray in Ghajnsielem.

In 1798, Malta was occupied by the French, but the population of Gozo rose up and drove the invaders out of the Citadel in a matter of days, without a fight. The entire island of Gozo was then transferred to the British.

Walking around within the Citadel, I have found that some parts date back to the medieval period, many of those parts being in ruins.

The parts built in the 1500's-1600's are in mostly in very good condition.

During my visit, the Victoria Citadel's narrow streets looked deserted, some almost forgotten.
There was not much life in there, as opposed to fortified Mdina, which is somewhat similar, but a much larger establishment.

One particularly special aspect of the Victoria Citadel (one asset that Mdina doesn't have) is its high location: it was built on top of a tall hill.

This allows great views all around: you can see nearby towns, a large part of the island of Gozo.

Particularly beautiful is the interior of the Cathedral of Assumption, but unfortunately I didn't have the possibility to get in during my visit.

More photos of the Citadel and the panorama of Gozo are listed below...

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