- Address: It-Telgħa tal-Belt, Victoria, Malta
- Founding date: 6-4 centuries. BC.
- Sightseeing: Cathedral, Cathedral Museum, Old Prison Museum, Archeology Museum, Folklore Museum, Museum of Natural Sciences
Just 6 km by sea from Malta is the island of Gozo (Gozo), which is part of the Maltese archipelago and is the state territory of Malta. The island covers an area of 67 square kilometers, and the population is about 30 thousand people. The capital of the island is the city of Victoria , named after the British Queen in 1897, but the indigenous people often call the city according to its ancient Arabic name - Rabat.
The island is famous for its picturesque landscapes, peasant fields, rocky shores of the sea, the hospitality of local residents, and here an incredible atmosphere of tranquility and tranquility!
A bit of history
One of the main attractions of the island is undoubtedly the Citadel. It is located on the top of a hill in the central part of the city of Victoria, so it is perfectly visible from all parts of the city. From here you can admire the delightful view of the island. The history of the Citadel dates back to the late Middle Ages.
The Citadel was the only shelter on the island until the 17th century, and until 1637 the island acted on the law, according to which the islanders were to spend the night in the Citadel. Such measures were necessary to save lives for civilians during pirate raids.
Citadel Attractions
In appearance the Citadel is a small town with narrow streets, preserved ancient houses, arches and intricate transitions. Inside the Citadel is a complex of museums.
Cathedral
The cathedral was built in 1711 on the site of the Roman temple of the goddess Juno by the architect Lorenzo Gaf in the baroque style. Outside, the building has the shape of a Latin cross. The cathedral is famous for the lack of a dome, but thanks to the talented artist Antonio Manuel, there is a persistent impression among those present inside the people that a dome of the usual form still exists. Another pride of the cathedral is the statue of St. Mary, which was established in 1897 in Rome.
The Cathedral Museum
The museum, which opened its doors in 1979, is located in the eastern part of the Cathedral. Here is a collection of silverware, an art gallery and other interesting items. The museum offers an excellent view of the island of Gozo.
The Old Prison Museum
The museum you will find on the Cathedral Square. The prison museum consists of two parts: the main hall, where in the 19th century there was a common cell, and six single cells. The prison was used for its intended purpose from the middle of the 16th century to the beginning of the 20th, on some walls there are clearly visible inscriptions of prisoners.
Museum of Archeology
The museum of archeology will allow us to look at the life of our ancestors, because here is a collection of art objects, religious signs, a lot of dishes and other household items, from ancient times to our days.
Folklore Museum
On Bernardo DeOpuo street there is another interesting museum - the folklore museum, which is a few adjacent buildings that were built in the 16th century and are very well preserved to the present day. The museum exposition covers the life of urban and rural residents of the past generation. Here you will see interesting tools, find out how this or that object works. Also here is a collection of mini-churches, which fully correspond to the originals.
Museum of Natural Sciences
The museum is located in three connected buildings, built in the 16th century, and tells about the natural resources of the island. The museum has a rich past: for example, in the 17-18 centuries there was an inn, and during World War II there was a shelter for families affected by the bombing.
How to get there?
From Malta to Gozo, you can get by ferry from Chirkeva, travel time - about 30 minutes, or by helicopter in 15 minutes, but it is much more expensive. On the island you can travel by public transport , however, bus routes are often canceled and it can be in vain to spend several hours waiting. If you stayed in one of the hotels in Malta and they rented a car, then the ferry for a fee it can easily be transported to Gozo.
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