Gozo’s Cittadella: Why You Need to Go Early
In short: Gozo's Cittadella
Is it worth visiting?
Definitely! Admission is free. Walkable from Victoria centre. Amazing views across the whole island.
Reality check:
Visit before the "day-trip crowds" arrive from the ferry.
View from inside the Cittadella at Fosse Street
The Cittadella is a walled city that has protected the Gozitans for centuries. And it’s a “must see” for everyone who spends a day or more in Gozo.
We visited the Cittadella early morning. It can get crowded once people come off the ferry and make it to Victoria.
Cathedral Square
Wedding scenes at the cathedral
As you walk through the entrance gate you are already standing at the bottom of the stairs that lead up to the Cathedral of the Assumption.
By coincedence a Maltese wedding took place the moment we got here. A red carpet was rolled out and a classic Mercedes limousine was waiting for the newly weds. What a setting to get married!
The church was rebuilt several times, after destruction during Arab rule, the Ottoman attack in 1551 and an earthquake. The current cathedral was completed in 1711.
Alleys
Narrow alleys
If you have enough time, you can actually enter some of the buldings. The Cathedral, the Folklore Museum, the Natural Science Museum, the Museum of Archeology and the small prisons. We sneaked into the church after the wedding had ended.
Until 1637, people were forced to sleep within the Cittadella every night, for their own protection. The same rule applied to the people of Mdina.
Cannons and views
Cannon protecting the main gate
Along the outer parts of the Cittadella you’ll find old bastions and narrow slits where cannons pointed at invaders.
We ended our little walk at St. Michael’s Bastion. From here we had a great view towards most of Gozo’s countryside.
View from St. Michael’s Bastion
