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The
Citadel: Victoria
The Citadel also known as "Gran Castello" built in the 15th century
by the Knights provided refuge and defence against the numerous attacks
by the Turks and Corsairs during that time. It was built at a most important
strategic point on a hill in the centre of the island offering a magnificent
view - the construction of the Citadel reminds one of the old capital Mdina
in Malta. Its bastions still shelter some very impressive historic buildings.
Extensive restoration work is currently in hand on these ancient buildings.
The Cathedral in the Citadel designed by Lorenzo Gafa' was built between
1697 and 1711. An interesting feature of this building is that, at the
time it was constructed, money was short and would not run to a dome. This
lack was brilliantly overcome by the Italian painter Antonio Manuele who
produced a magnificent Trompe l'Oeil, whereby he created a wonderful impression
that the flat roof was in fact a dome. Significant of the valiant position
of the Church in those days are the two ancient cannons at the foot of
the Cathedral steps.
Cathedral Museum
The Cathedral Museum houses many sacred vestments and silver and gold
items used for sacred services. There are also a number of well-known paintings
including those of Giuseppe Hyzler, Michele Busetti and Tommaso Medion.
Archaeological Museum
Situated in the famous Palazzo Bondi this museum contains objects from
various periods in the cultural history of the island.
Natural History Museum.
This small museum has a collection of zoological development of life
and its various species on our planet with reflection to the special situation
of the Maltese islands. The geological development and structure of the
Maltese archipelago is demonstrated in an impressive manner.
Folklore
Museum
Many ancient and modern tools and items of everyday Gozitan life are
shown and explained with emphasis on the special handicraft of the island.
Victoria (Rabat)
The old name Rabat means simply the city. On the occasion of the jubilee
of queen Victoria in 1897 the official name was changed in Her Majesty's
honour. The town is picturesque. To stroll along the streets and look at
the colourful shops and above all to see the market "IT-TOKK" is alone
worth the trip to Gozo.
St. George's Church built between 1672 -1678 is very interesting to
visit. The paintings in the dome are the works of Battista Conti of Rome.
Other paintings are by Giuseppe Cali' Stefano Erardi and Mattia Preti.
The richly decorated statue of Saint George is remarkable; it was carved
by Paolo Azzopardi in the year 1841.
The area surrounding the Church itself is impregnated with history
showing objects and indications of former cultures and settlements dating
back to the Roman days.
Ggantija
The Megalithic Temples of Ggantija situated close to Xaghra provide
an outstanding example of the pre-historic monuments which are to be found
on the Maltese archipelago. According to the latest analysis they were
built 3,5û0 to 4,000 years before the birth of Christ. The gigantic
rocks must be several tons in weight, those of the outer wall reaching
as high as six metres.lt is still a mystery how the people of those days
were able to move them with the primitive tools of the period. According
to an old myth a female giant called "Sunsuna" carried the rocks on her
head from Ta' Cenc. Some scientists assume that there might be an underground
temple below Ggantija similar to the Hypogeum at Hal Saflieni, a hypothesis
which has not yet been verified. Apart from Ggantija there are other interesting
testimonies from the prehistoric times of Malta, for example: the "Menhir"
of Qala, Santa Verna, a smaller Temple also close to Xaghra, and the Temples
tal-qighan and ta' Marziena. In addition, as in Malta, here in Gozo close
to Ta' Cenc what are thought to be cart-tracks can be seen. Their origin
has still to be established.
Ninu's Cave and Xerri's Cave
At Xaghra there are two very interesting caves (Potholes) with stalactitic
and stalagmitic formations discovered respectively in 1888 and 1923 in
two private houses close to the Parish Church.
Calypso's Cave
This cave known worldwide as Calypso's Cave is situated close to Xaghra.
Some are convinced that Gozo is the island of Ogygia, described in
Homer's famous poem 'The Odyssey' on which the beautiful nymph Calypso
kept Odysseus as a 'prisoner of love' for seven long years. Calypso promised
immortality to Odysseus if he would stay with her, but Odysseus rejected
her and escaped to his faithful wife Penelope.Although the cave's interior
and exterior are not too impressive, there is nevertheless a feeling of
excitement for any visitor to stand on possibly one of the oldest and most
famous historic spots in the world. In addition one has a magnificent view
of the sea and the sandy beach of Ramla l-Hamra bay far below, which is
Gozo's finest bathing beach.From the cave - less than thirty metres from
the shore-the careful watcher can glimpse the remains of an underwater
fortification, a wall built by the Knights in the mid-18th century. It
was built to stop invading boats on a line in the range of two huge fugasses.
These fugasses were nothing other than stone mortars, big holes in the
rocky shore filled with gunpowder and stones. However they were carefully
constructed in a way that their deadly load, in case of ignition would
fall on boats which approached the underwater wall.
Fungus Rock
Close to Dwejra point, in the Southwest of Gozo, one can admire the
famous Fungus Rock, popularly known as "Il-Gebla tal-General" (The General's
Rock). It is here that the famous "Fungus Gaulitanus" grew, a very rare
plant which the Knights believed to possess strong healing powers. This
rare and precious plant sometimes presented as a valuable gift to distinguished
noblemen - was, for centuries kept under constant guard and any actual,
or potential, thief was instantly put to death. Due to the height of the
Fungus Rock it was almost unreachable from the sea, therefore the Knights
constructed a hoist resembling a funicular, on the watch tower. This tower
known as "Qawra Tower" can still be seen.
Inland Sea
Close to the "Fungus Rock" is another phenomenon; the Inland Sea. The
so-called Inland Sea can be reached through a natural "tunnel" It offers
ideal bathing conditions, fresh sea water and is warmer than the open sea.
Even when the latter is rough, the Inland Sea is calm and inviting. On
a calm day one can go back and forth through the cave channel in a fishing
boat .The cave system as well as the coast around the inland sea and the
Fungus Rock is a paradise for divers. On the land the soil shows myriads
of prehistoric shells and the remains of other marine animals, which make
this area a rich source of information for people interested in history
and geology. The oldest salt pans of Gozo are to be found here.
Azure Window
The Azure Window created by sea-breakers over a period of thousands
of years is the third marvel to be found at Dwejra point. On the top of
two giant columns of rock each with a diameter of approximately 40 metres,
rests a huge ledge of rock of about 100 metres in length and 20 metres
in height forming a giant door or window through which one can see the
azure blue waters beyond. For centuries the Gozitans have known this rock
as "It-Tieqa" i.e. the "Window"
Grima Maritime Musuem
Gozo's unique maritime museum is a private collection of Michael Grima,
who donated his collection to the Nadur Parish church. The museum is situated
near the Nadur Parish Church.
Marsalforn
This fishing village on the north coast has developed over the years
into Gozo's most popular seaside resort.
Xlendi
This land-locked sandy and pebbly beach, tucked away in the south under
towering cliffs, has a character all its own.
The Gozo Heritage
In a fascinating old building a mixture of museum and good entertainment
introduces the visitor, in an easy fashion, the way back to 7,000 years
of the history of Gozo. Lifesize sculptures set in period environments
animated by the latest electronic techniques give the visitor a ringside
view of the chequered historical saga of Gozo.Starting at the beginning
of time the visitor is transported to the present day, making stops within
all the eventful periods of Gozo's history. During this journey through
time one becomes familiar with the numerous colourful personalities who
have contributed to the Island's rich history and folklore.The Gozo heritage
is situated on the main road between Mgarr Harbour and Victoria. Opening
hours: 10.00-17.00 hrs daily. Address: 20 Mgarr Road, Ghajnsielem.
Go back to Aboutmalta.com: Gozo & Comino