Gozo Citadel

Of all the places to visit in the Maltese Islands, the Citadel, including the Santa Maria Cathedral that sits within its fortressed walls, has to be the most fascinating. Both sit at the top of a steep hill, high above Gozo's capital of Victoria. Parking is far from plentiful if you’re aiming to get there by car but you can squeeze on a roadside at the bottom of the hill and walk, or better still arrive early and nab a prime spot in the small car-park at the top of the slope.

Built on the site of an ancient Roman temple, the cathedral is a beautiful example of Baroque architecture. Inside you will find numerous chapels, intriguing art and a floor made up of many marble tombstones. But you need to look up to spot one of its highlights - a truly ingenious 3D painting on the ceiling which creates the illusion of the building having a dome, which even the most short-sighted of us can see from the outside, it clearly does not!

The present building is around 300 years old. It was started in 1697 and was completed in 1716. Much of the money for it came from Gozitan families who were eager to see their cathedral become a beautiful focal point for their religious lives.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Santa Maria Cathedral remains its location - at the heart of a 7,000-year-old tiny, fortified city. Its elevated position and the composition of the earth in this area made it a popular place for locating temples and it has been occupied and used by races ranging from the Phoenicians and Romans all the way through to the modern era when first the French, then the British occupied it.

Its lofty position also guarantees its ramparts offer the best views of Gozo you’ll get from anywhere not to mention the sight of Malta and Comino in the distance. You can join the may other tourists by clambering astride one of the two mighty 17^th century bronze cannons for a memorable snapshot.

The Citadel used to be home to many people but only a couple of residential properties are still in use today. That said, there is a smattering of tourist shops selling lace, souvenirs and local foodstuffs and some other museums and attractions within the walls.

If you want the real inside track on the best way to spend a day at the Citadel, then this is it. And I feel I’m being naughty here by giving you secrets that only the locals know! Aim to get there early before it gets too hot and busy and so you can get parked. Do the outside bits first, then, as the temperature rises mid-morning, have a tootle round the cathedral. You then head for an early lunch to guarantee yourself a table at the legendary Ricardo’s, a shop/bistro within the Citadel that does brilliant Gozitan food and homemade wine at extremely reasonable rates. I had my first lunch platter at Ricardo’s (at No. 4) near the cathedral) nearly 20 years ago and still remember the goat’s cheese, sundried tomatoes and olives to this day. Got it? Now keep that quiet!

Touring both citadel and cathedral couldn't be simpler. A multi-lingual audio guide is available from the Cathedral for a very, very reasonable cost. The guide covers all the main points of interest as well as its museum. Additionally it guides you around the Citadel too and is available in several languages.

Joint admission tickets which get you into all Citadel sites cost €8 for adults, €5 for students and OAPs, €4 for children aged six to 11-years-old and is free for those under six.

To get there by car drive to Victoria and follow Citadel signs. By bus it couldn’t be easier as all buses on Gozo stop in Victoria then keep walking uphill!