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As with many other places around the world, squares are very important meeting points in Gozo. Many of the piazzas you’ll find in Victoria have cafes and restaurants and are great places where you can meet locals. Perhaps the most important piazza in the City is what is locally known as It-Tokk (Independence Square). It-Tokk, which literally means the point of meeting, features the historical Banca Giuratale and a monument dedicated to Gozo’s World War II victims. Victoria’s main market used to be located in this square but it is now a short walk away at Savina Square. It-Tokk is particularly bustling with activity during Carnival time, St. George’s (July) and St. Mary’s (August) feasts, Christmas time, and New Year’s eve.
A narrow street from It-Tokk will lead you to another social hub in Victoria; St. George’s Square. This is a very popular square and you’ll find it especially buzzing with life during weekends.
St. Francis Square, just up the road from Townhouse 17, deserves a mention as it is another important place of rendezvous in Gozo’s city.
Around the area of St. George’s Basilica, you’ll find a maze of charming old streets that are full of character. We highly recommend exploring these centuries-old quiet streets that are still inhabited to this very day. Prepare your cameras as these streets are extremely photogenic and remember to visit Triq id-Dejqa (Narrow Street)… this is probably the narrowest street you’ll ever see.
After making your way through the maze of old winding streets, you’ll find yourself at the impressive bronze door of St. George’s Basilica, often referred to as ‘The Golden Basilica’ due to its interior. This church is perhaps one of the most active on the island of Gozo and, apart from its religious and social value, it is of big architectural and artistic importance.
Although the foundation stone of the current church was laid in 1672, it is thought that the parish knows its origin to medieval times. Gozo’s St. George’s Basilica is in the form of a Latin Cross and was the first on the island to be built in this shape.
Before entering the church you’ll see two white marble clocks complementing the recently renovated baroque-cum-neoclassical façade of the Basilica. You’ll notice that these clocks don’t show the actual time and this is because they symbolise the passage of time. You may read more about the clocks’ symbolism by clicking here.
Inside you’ll notice a bronze and gold guilded canopy over the main altar, a 1967 replica by Carlo Pisi of Bernini’s incredible masterpiece at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. The church itself is an exhibition of beautiful paintings by distinguished world-renowned artists such as Giovanni Battista Conti, Mattia Preti, and Giuseppe Cali. The display of artwork is alive with recent works as it also includes 2021 installations by renowned Gozitan artist Manuel Farrugia.
The Basilica’s main attraction remains the 1839 wood-sculpted statue of Saint George by Pietro-Paolo Azzopardi. You’ll see this impressive work of art on the right hand side of the church in its golden niche. The statue is paraded anually around the streets of Victoria during the evening of the third Sunday of July in what is the culmination of a week-long programme of festivities. The triumphal exit of the statue from the church is a sight to behold.
We recommend you experience Saint George’s festa if you happen to be on the island of Gozo throughout the week leading to the third Sunday of July. Whether you’re in Gozo throughout this celebratory week or any other day of the year, visiting St. George’s Basilica is definitely one of the top things to do when in Gozo.
If you wish to learn more about the Gozitan heritage with its deeply rooted Christian culture, then a visit to Il-Ħaġar Museum is a must. Located right next to St. George’s Basilica, the museum recounts the history of the island through its people: their beliefs, their abilities, and their products.
The close proximaty to St. George’s Basilica is no coincidence as the people running this museum are very much active community members of St. George’s Parish. In fact, the museum houses significant artistic and historic patrimony of the Basilica in its permanent exhibition.
There’s also a temporary exhibition space that displays works of art by distinguished local and foreign artists. The museum also hosts concerts and talks almost on a monthly basis. More info here.
Opening hours: Monday-Sunday | 9am-5pm
Entrance is free of charge but the museum accepts donations.
There are two main theatres in Victoria, the Aurora Opera Theare and the Astra Theatre. The theatres are linked to the city’s two parishes and are two of the main social and cultural hubs on the island.
Both theatres come up with an opera production every October, part of the annual opera in Gozo programme of events. The next opera productions (October 2023) will be Rigoletto at the Astra Theatre and Madama Butterfly at the Teatru tal-Opra Aurora. Despite restricted budgets, opera in Gozo has been lauded by many enthusiasts throughout the years.
There are events happening every month at these theatres. In fact, Astra Theatre will also be staging the popular musical The Sound of Music in March 2023. Both theatres are a 5-minute walk away from Townhouse 17 and you are still in time to book a stay with us so you can fully enjoy these events.
We never get tired of visiting this beautiful garden, an oasis of peace right in the heart of the City. This garden features many different species of plants, trees, and shrubs and is a very well-maintained place of interest on the island of Gozo.
While you’re there, please say hello to our feline friends.
The Gozo Citadel should top the list of places to visit when on the island of Gozo. We have a whole blog dedicated to this important landmark in Gozo. Read more here.
All the places mentioned in this blog are literally a short work away from Townhouse 17 Boutique B&B, which is conveniently located at the heart of the city right opposite the Victoria bus terminal. Guests at Townhouse 17 enjoy a daily breakfast and also get a 10% discount whenever they use the services of HOG, Cup Cake Cafe, and Chapeau Bistro throughout their stay at our B&B. Book Now.
