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

The Victoria Citadel

April 29, 2015
[...]

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.


Victoria Citadel cannons

Good strategic position for firing guns

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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...


Cathedral in the Citadella

The cathedral hiding behind walls

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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.

Street inside the Citadel

Amiable quiet ancient street

Also check out the entire Malta Photo Gallery

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...


Victoria from the fort

Overlooking Victoria

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Cannons in the Citadel

I wonder if any of these "babies" were ever fired

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Buildings of Victoria

Complex box city below...

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Small fortification in Victoria

Weird trees. Nature is captive to man's creations.

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Colours of Victoria, Gozo

I love this desert colour. So typical to Malta.

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Victoria's Cathedral

The Cathedral from a better viewing angle

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Buildings within the Citadel complex

It's not easy to imagine how this small complex of buildings behind the walls could allow 5,000-6,000 people to take refuge in it. I measured a maximum width of approximately 110 m.

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Old building in the Citadel

I sometimes wonder what memories these buildings have

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Northwest view from the Citadel

Staring out to the northwest

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Agricultural lands on Gozo

Agricultural lands cover most of Gozo

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Flat-top buildings on Gozo

Flat-top buildings - so typically Mediterranean

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Gozo panorama - eastern view

Xewkija's church to the east in the distance (to the right)

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Gozo landscape view

This landscape has captured my heart

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Gozo's hills

Small hills scattered on the island. The tallest point is 190 m.

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Box-shaped buildings

The box-shaped buildings reminded me of the dwellings I saw in Spain or Morocco

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Escape Hunter

About the Author:

Escape Hunter, the young solo traveler in his early 30's explores the World driven by curiosity, thirst for adventure, deep passion for beauty, love for freedom and diversity.
With a nuanced, even humorous approach to travel, an obsession for art and design, Escape Hunter prefers to travel slowly, in order to learn and "soak up" the local atmosphere...



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