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The Citadel is built on one
of the many flat-topped hills in the centre of Gozo. It's origins can be
traced to the latter part of the Middle Ages. Up until 1637 the people of
Gozo had to take shelter within the Citadel's walls after sunset, due to
the frequent Turkish assaults on the island. In 1551 a strong Turkish force
overwhelmed the Citadel and carried 6000 of the inhabitants away into
slavery. Only 300 Gozitans managed to escape before the capitulation.
The walls themselves date from the 16th to the 18th century. Amongst the
buildings inside the Citadel, the Old Courts of Law and the Old Governor's
Palace are still used as the Law Courts of Gozo. Also there are the Old
Prisons with the Armoury of the Knights, the Archeological Museum, the
Natural History Museum and the Folklore Museum. The Cathedral with the
Bishop's Palace and the Cathedral Museum dominate the Citadel.
The main point of interest in the Citadel is the Gozo Cathedral. The fine
classic façade of the cathedral, raised above a flight of steps, makes a
powerful impact as you step inside the citadel. Designed by a Maltese
architect to replace an old church destroyed by the 1693 earthquake, it is
one of the best examples of baroque vernacular architecture in Malta and
was the Knights' own conventual church on Gozo; on two occasions serving as
the venue for the sumptuous investitures of the Grand Masters.
The interior is beautifully decorated. The tombstones, the trompe-l'oeil
creating the illusion of a dome, and statue of Santa Marija (St. Mary)
embellished with diamonds and gold, help to make the Island of Calypso the
proud guardian of this monument of worship.
Gozo Cathedral
The Gozo Cathedral is the main point of interest in the Citadel. The fine
classic façade of the cathedral, raised above a flight of steps, makes a
powerful impact as you step inside the citadel. Designed by a Maltese
architect to replace an old church destroyed by the 1693 earthquake, it is
one of the best examples of baroque vernacular architecture in Malta and
was the Knights' own conventual church in Gozo; on two occasions serving as
the venue for the sumptuous investitures of the Grand Masters.
The interior is beautifully decorated. The tombstones, the trompe-l'oeil
creating the illusion of a dome, and statue of Santa Marija (St Mary)
embellished with a diamonds and gold, help to make the Island of Calypso
the proud guardian of this monument of worship.
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