Gozo’s capital goes by two names: Victoria, the name given in 1887 on the occasion of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, and ir-Rabat, the name that refers to the central medieval part of the city and is generally used by locals. In our last blog, we introduced two of Victoria’s gems: the Astra and Aurora opera houses, which are located on the main street just metres away from each other.
Some might find it surprising that a city having a modest population and spanning less than three square kilometres is home to two fully equipped theatres. But Victoria is a surprising city, which is set to delight those who take the time to get to know it properly. To ensure that no nook that is worthy of discovery goes under the radar, we have put together a list of our favourite things to do in Victoria.
Admire the false dome at the Gozo Cathedral
The trompe l’œil dome. Photo: Baron Holiday Homes
Victoria is home to several chapels and churches, including the magnificent Gozo Catheral dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Housed within the fortified walls of Gozo’s ancient city, the present church was officially inaugurated in 1711. The church is perhaps best known for being part of the legacy of the Maltese Islands’ foremost Baroque architect Lorenzo Gafà. Imposing paintings – a couple measuring more than four metres, making them the largest in Gozo, huge chandeliers, and multi-couloured marble tombstone slabs complement Gafà’s architectural hallmarks, lending magnificence to this place of worship. The trompe l’œil dome, a painting that gives the illusion of depth on a flat surface, is another stand-out feature of this church. The cathedral museum, cathedral and vestry are open to visitors from Monday to Saturday between 9.00am and 5.00pm, with tickets being available from the cathedral gift shop.
Explore the Citadel and its museums
Inside the Cittadella Visitors' Centre. Photo: Baron Holiday Homes
The Gozo Cathedral is not the only visit-worthy place housed within the Citadel. Along the warren of alleys and narrow streets that snake through the fortress, one finds the historical chapel of Saint Joseph, the Museum of Archaeology, the Gozo Nature Museum, the Gran Castello historical house, and the old prison, all of which shed light on the way of life in Gozo since pre-history. A ticket that can be purchased through the Heritage Malta website grants visitors one-time access to the aforementioned museums as well as the interactive Visitors’ Centre, which is found within the Citadel ditch. The uphill walk to the very top of the Citadel can leave you a little short of breath, but the breath-taking panorama of Gozo that awaits makes the effort worthwhile. While the views and the museums can be fully enjoyed during a day-time visit, a nocturnal visit allows one to enjoy unparalleled peace and quiet that have become somewhat elusive in to day’s fast-paced world.
Savour the artistic and architectural beauty of Saint George’s Basilica
Inside St.George's Basilica. Photo: Baron Holiday Homes
Another architecturally and artistically beautiful church that lies at the heart of Victoria is Saint George’s Basilica. The interior of this church is covered in marble, and the pièce de résistance is arguably the gold-gilded bronze canopy that rises above the white marble altar. The Basilica is a trove of sacred art executed by some of the finest artists to have lived and worked in Malta, including Mattia Preti, Giuseppe Calì, Giuseppe d’Arena and Francesco Zahra. The stillness and timeless beauty that await visitors inside this church offer a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere of the small piazza in which Saint George’s Basilica is located. It is as though the church’s huge bronze main door, designed by Gozitan artist John Grima, shuts out present-day distractions to allow visitors to reflect and properly savour the exquisite decor.
Get lost in the narrow streets of Il-Mandraġġ
The old winding streets close to St. George's Basilica. Photo: Baron Holiday Homes
Behind Saint George’s Basilica is a centuries-old neighbourhood known as Il-Mandraġġ. A stroll down the maze of narrow streets and alleys that make up this often overlooked area is akin to taking a step back in time to when life was simpler. Niches on street corners and house names with religious connotations remind visitors that religion was and remains an important part of locals’ lives. Traditional wooden and wrought-iron balconies jut out at intervals on both sides, making the streets feel much narrower than they actually are. Proud locals have taken it upon themselves to beautify the area with pots of flowers and creepers growing up honey-hued house facades. Some of these houses have been lived in by the same families for generations, others boast hard-to-come-by features, such as the muxrabija, and others are uninhabited, awaiting their next tenants.
Get acquainted with the work of some of the islands’ foremost artists
Entrance to Il-Ħaġar Museum. Photo: Baron Holiday Homes
On the left-hand side of Saint George’s Basilica, one finds Il-Ħaġar. The lower levels of this museum and cultural centre house a permanent exhibition showcasing historical documents, liturgical artefacts and the oeuvre of one of Malta’s foremost contemporary composers, Prof. Joseph Vella. The museum’s temporary exhibition space regularly hosts exhibitions by the Maltese Islands’ leading artists, both living and deceased. Historians, researchers, academics and artists often give public lectures here, giving attendees the opportunity to broaden their knowledge on an array of subjects. Il-Ħaġar is open to visitors from Monday to Sunday between 9.00am and 5.00pm, and the entrance is free of charge. When visiting Il-Ħaġar do make time for a quick drink at the rooftop bar, which boasts some of the best views of the city and beyond.
Sit back and relax at Villa Rundle Garden
The gorgeous Villa Rundle garden. Photo: Baron Holiday Homes
Located on Victoria’s busy main street next to a shopping mall, the Villa Rundle Garden is the city’s little green lung. The garden originally formed part of an experimental farm set up by the British, taking its name from the British General Leslie Rundle. Native and imported trees, some of which have called Villa Rundle home since its inception, offer plenty of shade, while flowers that bloom at different times of the year provide perennial pops of colour. The garden is not only a popular hang-out spot with visitors seeking to unwind amid the city bustle. Villa Rundle has attracted a colony of friendly cats of all colours and sizes, which have become as much of an attraction as the tranquil ambiance the garden provides.
Check out what’s happening in Victoria in October and November 2024
| Date |
Event |
Location |
|
06.09.24-10.11.24
|
Lost Paradise (exhibition)
|
Il-Ħaġar
|
|
11.10.24
|
Piano at the Opera (recital)
|
Saint George’s Basilica
|
|
12.10.24
|
Il Trittico (opera)
|
Aurora Theatre
|
|
18.10.24
|
International Folk Festival
|
Cathedral Square, Citadel
|
|
20.10.24
|
Intermezzo for Strings (classical concert)
|
Church of Saint Francis of Assisi
|
|
24.10.24
|
Giovanna D’Arco (opera)
|
Astra Theatre
|
|
26.10.24
|
Giovanna D’Arco (opera)
|
Astra Theatre
|
|
03.11.24
|
Sweet Tooth Festival
|
Villa Rundle Garden
|
|
08.11.24
|
The Best of Mozart (concert)
|
Gozo Cathedral
|
|
09.11.24
|
Il-Mandraġġ – A walk through the years
|
Saint Mary Street
|
| |
|
|
Posted in Activity, Churches, Cultural activities, Heritage, Museums, Things to do, Victoria, What to see in Gozo
View all blog posts