Fun Facts You Might Not Know About the Citadella in Gozo

A Fortress Through the Ages

People have lived on this rocky hill since Ancient times — about 3,500 years ago. It started as a small Bronze Age fortress and later became the ancient acropolis of a Roman town called Gaulos.

A Place of Refuge in the Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, the whole population of Gozo could hide inside the Citadella when pirates or invaders attacked. It was built to keep everyone safe!The 1551 Ottoman Raid

In 1551, the Ottomans invaded Gozo and captured the Citadella in just a few days. Over 6,000 people who had taken refuge there were taken as slaves.

Rebuilt into a Strong Fortress

Between 1599 and 1622, the Knights of St John rebuilt the Citadella with modern bastions, curtain walls and a deep ditch. This changed it into a gunpowder fortress.

The Cathedral of the Assumption

Inside the Citadella stands the beautiful Cathedral of the Assumption, built between 1697 and 1711 by Maltese architect Lorenzo Gafà. It was built where a Roman temple once stood! The cathedral became the seat of the Diocese of Gozo in 1864.

The Historic Prison and Graffiti

Visit the Old Prison, which was in use from the 1500s until 1962. The limestone walls inside are filled with carved graffiti made by knights and prisoners — from ships to crosses and names!

Gozo’s Panoramic Lookout

Standing at about 140 metres above sea level, the Citadella gives you breathtaking views of all Gozo and even parts of Malta and Comino when the sky is clear. At night it is beautifully lit too!

The Citadella Restoration Project

Between 2014 and 2016 the Citadella was restored with support from the EU. Now you can walk cobbled streets, visit museums like the Gozo House, Archaeology and Nature Museums, plus the Visitors’ Centre with cool animated 3D displays.

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