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The Gozo Cittadella is the island’s most important landmark and we’re proud to say that guests at Townhouse 17 enjoy some impressive views of this historic building from their room or from our rooftop with splash pool.
Seeing the Cittadella from our boutique B&B is one thing but exploring its narrow alleys, imposing bastions, and handful of interesting museums is a completely different experience. We believe that a visit to the Cittadella is one of the top things to do in Gozo and thus definitely recommend taking the 8-minute walk from Townhouse 17 to visit this important landmark in Victoria.
Before entering the fortifications, we encourage you to visit the Cittadella Visitors Centre. This relatively new attraction in Gozo is divided into two main areas; the first is an educational run-through about the evolution of the Cittadella and the second being a surround theatre where visitors can watch a short 360 video about the history of Gozo’s old fortified city. All information at this centre is available in eight languages.
The fee to enter the Visitors’ Centre is EUR5.00 but this also grants you entry into the Gozo Archaelogy Museum, the Nature Museum, the Old Prisons, and the Gran Castello Historic House.
Opening times:
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays – 09:00hrs to 17:00hrs, last admission 16:30hrs
For updates on opening times, kindly visit this page.
Found within the walls of the Cittadella, Gozo’s only Cathedral was constructed between 1697 and 1711 and is a must-see for people of any faith. This fine baroque structure was drawn and planned by the celebrated Maltese architect Lorenzo Gafa, also famous for St. Paul’s Cathedral in Mdina. It is quite interesting to know that this Cathedral stands on the site where there was once a Roman temple dedicated to the goddess Juno.
Inside the Cathedral there’s a Trompe L’oeill painting which tricks people seeing it into believing that the Cathedral has a domed roof when in reality its completely flat.
Another attraction inside the Cathedral is the much venerated 1897 statue of Santa Marija. Its annual festa is celebrated on the 15th of August, a public holiday in Gozo, when the statue is paraded through the streets of Victoria. This festa packs in it everything that is traditional with band marches, horse-racing, spectacular fireworks displays, agricultural fairs, and much more.
Many treasures of the Gozo Cathedral are exhibited in a Museum just up the alleyway to the left of the Cathedral itself. The museum is spread over three levels and exhibits a variety of items, some which date back to the first century BC.
The Museum was opened in 1979 and major renovation works were completed in 2021. For prices and tour information you may click here.
Inside the Gozo Cittadella there are four museums that are managed by Heritage Malta. Each museum is interesting in its own right. Of particular interest is the Old Prison that lies adjacent to the Courts of Justice (still in use). The walls inside this old prison are covered in graffiti, the largest known collection of historical graffiti on the Maltese islands. For four months in 1538 this prison was home to Fra Jean Parisot de La Valette, Grand Master and commander during the Great Siege of Malta of 1565. Valletta, Malta’s City, is named after La Valette.
At the time of writing, the museums’ opening times are as follows:
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays – 09:00hrs to 17:00hrs, last admission 16:30hrs
You may buy individual tickets for each museum but we recommend purchasing the Cittadella Combo which grants you entry into the four museums and the Cittadella Visitors centre.
There’s much more to discover when visiting the Gozo Cittadella. We recommend you allocate ample time to visit all museums and to then wander through the old city’s alleys and walk on the bastions to enjoy 360 views of the island of Gozo. You can also get glimpses of Comino and mainland Malta!
If you’re looking for things to see in Gozo, then the Gozo Cittadella is a must. And since Townhouse 17 Boutique B&B is so close, we also recommend going on a late night walk when this prime attraction is eerily silent and beautifully lit.
The newly opened Townhouse 17 Boutique B&B is conveniently located at the heart of Victoria, right opposite the bus terminal that is connected to every village and bay in Gozo. The B&B is also within walking distance from all points of interest in Gozo’s main town.
Current offer on minimum two night stay: Guests booking a minimum of two-nights at TH get up to a 35% discount. Guests enjoy a daily hearty 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.
