The Citadel, Victoria (Rabat) Introduction
The main attraction in Victoria, which is called Rabat by locals, is the Citadel, don't forget your camera to take photographs from the
ramparts, the various attractions within the Citadel and the interesting nooks and crannies.
Old Approach Steps to Citadel Entrance
This entrance has had "time Team" style digs and excavation finds can now be seen and the steps & surrounds have been updated all this beautiful stone work replaced with concrete & stainless steel. The only good thing about the modernisation is a lift has been installed.
The Citadel is built on top of a rocky fairly flat topped hill of which there are other examples in the area. The first fortifications date back to the Bronze age approximately 1500BC. Further developed by the Phoenicians and then the Romans who built the temple of Juno, on the site of the present day Cathedral. The semi circular northern wall was built in the Aragonese (Spanish) rule 1282–1530. The much more impressive southern half was re-built by the Knights of St. John from 1599 onwards, after the famous Turkish siege. At the end of the unsuccessful siege of Malta the Ottoman Turks attacked the then less formidable citadel and after the defenders asked for, and granted a honourable surrender, the citadel was sacked and most of the population around 5000 was enslaved.
The Norther half if the Citadel's interior is still in ruins but restoration work has been and still is under way.
As you wander the narrow streets inside the Citadel, besides the attractions listed below keep your eye out for the holy niches - statues set into the walls of buildings, bass reliefs, Norman arched windows and Coat of Arms
The Ramparts
Views from almost any where on the ramparts of the citadel are both beautiful and magnificent. Wether you are overlooking the town of Victoria, or the distant Malta from the southern section or the open country side from the other sections. If you have time walk the full circuit of the
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The High Citadel Walls 
Cafe in the Citadel
Cannon on St.Matins Demi-Bastion protecting the entrance-
Cannon on St.Michaels Bastion protecting the entrance 
Cannon on St.Matins Demi-Bastion
Cannon on St.Matins Demi-Bastion
Clock Tower & Entrance Defences
Domineering Hilltop Position
Impressive Entrance Defences
St Michaels Bastion
Victoria Citadel Gateway
St Johns Bastion. Location of Gunpowder Magazine in the Cavalier (Top Left) cellars
View from the road, Trig ta Wara s-Sur
Just north of St.Matins Demi-Bastion
Most of the northern Half of the citadel interior is in ruins, but good views from the walls
Looking down on St.Matins Demi-Bastion in foreground and Cannon area
St Martins Cavalier on the right
Notice how the cannon is protected from enemy fire except for a very narrow arc
Within The Citadel walls are several other attractions
A Multi Site ticket entitles the visitor to visit the Archaeology Museum, Gran Castello Historic House, the Folklore Museum, the Natural Science Museum, the Old Prison & Citadel Visitor Centre
Gozo Cathedral - The Cathedral of the Assumption
The Cathedral is a beautiful Baroque building, designed by Lorenzo Gafa, who also designed Mdina's Cathedral.
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Gozo Cathedral. A main attraction inside the Citadel
Gozo Cathedral a side chapel alter
Deceptive - Not a Dome, it's a painting
Saint Maria (Santa Marija)
Gozo Cathedral Steps
Gozo Cathedral Steps
Gozo Cathedral Steps Main Entrance
Gozo Cathedral Alta
Besides looking around at the wall area you will also find the floor and ceiling to be interesting. The floor is an inlaid mosaic of religious motifs and the ceiling has a magnificent painting that gives the flat ceiling the impression that it is a dome. Many visitors are astonished when this is pointed out to them there eyes had been misled by this dome masterpiece in perspective.
Started in1697as a church, the building took 14 years to build and it was built in the traditional Latin cross design. It was built on the site of a Roman Temple and a later medieval church. Due to the cost considerations the church was built without a dome, this was partially rectified by the addition of a tall bell tower at the rear of the building with 5 bells at a later date. Cathedral status was achieved in 1864
Ensure you see the magnificent statue of The Assumption of Our Lady (Santa Marija) which was produced in Rome in 1897
The feast of the Assumption of Our Lady to Heaven is celebrated each year on August 15th. This day is also a national holiday.
The steps in front of the Cathedral are a very popular meeting point for tour groups
Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat 10:00-13:00 and 13:30-16.30
Closed: Sundays & Public Holidays
Old Gunpowder Magazine
Located at the foot of St Johns Bastion on the eastern side of the citadel
Cathedral Museum
The museum consists of 3 beautifully decorated rooms and an entrance hall
The Picture Gallery
The Silver vault
The Cathedral Archives
The Entrance hall
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00-13:00 and 13:30-16.30
Closed: Sundays & Public Holidays
Law Court
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The Law courts
The Law courts, (extreme right) are on the north side of the Cathedral Square. The Law Court building was previously the Governor’s Palace, being built by Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt in the 17th century.
Museum of Archaeology previously known as the Gozo Museum
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Roman Statue
The Museum of Archaeology is situated just inside and to the right of the Main Gate and located in the 17th century Town Hall, where the knights of St. John's entertained their guests.
It became the Gozo Museum in 1960 and after redesigning the Museum of Archaeology in 1966
With exhibits from the Neolithic, Bronze, Temple, Phoenician, Roman, Medieval and Knights' periods.
Concessionary tickets available
Archaeology Museum Opening Hours: Mon. to Sun: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Folklore Museum
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The Folklore Museum
The Folklore Museum is an interesting view into the lifestyle, traditional work & pastimes of Gozitans in past centuries. Costumes, tools, traditional crafts are all on show.
The Folklore Museum is located in a house built around the end of 15th century. Located on the left of Milite Bernardo Street as you walk uphill.
Concessionary tickets available
Folklore Museum Opening Hours: Mon. to Sun: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
The Old Prison
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The Old Prison
The Old Prison is located in the Citadel at a higher level and set back, overlooking Cathedral Square next to the Law Courts and opposite the clock tower.
The prison was used by the Knigh22. Newer prisons have been built within the Citadel and one was used up to 1962.
In the entrance hall is a fascinating exhibition on the fortifications on Gozo. The cells surround a courtyard, the wall of the cells and corridors are filled with graffiti.
Entrance charge. Multi Site & concessionary tickets available.
The Old Prison Opening Hours: Mon. to Sun: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.
Natural Science Museum
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Natural Science Museum
Situated to the rear of the Law Courts, the Natural Science Museum is located in a building built around 1495 and thought to be the first Inn on the island. It became the Natural Science Museum in 1991
The Natural Science Museum contains some important fossil finds. there are also Mineralogy, Marine Life, Botany, Ornithology and Insect exhibits.
Multi Site & concessionary tickets available.
Natural Science Museum Opening Hours: Mon. to Sun: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.
St. Joseph's Chapel
St.Joseph's is an unimposing chapel built in 1625 could be taken as a house on the outside, but has a lovely altar and altar painting by Filippo Paladino. The artwork is now a copy the original being kept in the Cathedral Museum for security.
St.Joseph's is located in Triq San Guzepp
Transport Buses
Victoria is the central hub for nearly all the bus routes on Gozo which radiate outwards towards the coast
More Information Gozo Buses