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The Citadel, also known as "Gran Castello" owes its origins to the late medieval era, and was re-fortified by the Knights in the 17th century to provide refuge and defence
against the numerous attacks by the Turks and Corsairs during that time. It was built at a most important strategic point on a hill in the centre of the island offering a magnificent view - the construction of the Citadel in fact reminds one of the old capital Mdina in Malta. Its bastions still shelter some very impressive historic buildings. Extensive restoration work is currently in hand on these ancient buildings.
The Citadel in Victoria is a museum in itself, it is here that the rich Medieval families of Gozo had their own quarters in which to spend the night. In the esplanade below, in the square know as it-Tokk, one can see the more colourful side of Gozo. In the open market and in the souvenir shops around it are exposed for sale such local handicrafts as crocheted woollen dresses, the wool spun from the local sheep and the dresses worked by the island's women, as is also the famous Gozo Lace, a traditional, but still a very much flourishing, art.
The Cathedral
The Cathedral in the citadel designed by the Maltese architect Lorenzo Gafa' in the form of a Latin cross was built between 1697 and 1711 on the site of an older church.
An interesting feature of this building is that, at the time it was constructed, money was short and would not run to a dome. This problem was brilliantly overcome by the Italian painter Antonio Manuele who produced a magnificent Trompe d'Oeil, creating a wonderful impression that the flat roof was in fact a dome. Significant of the power of the Church in those days are the two ancient cannons at the foot of the Cathedral steps.
The Cathedral Museum
The Cathedral Museum houses many sacred vestments and silver and gold items used for sacred services. There are also a number of well-known paintings including those of Giuseppe Hyzler, Michele Busetti and Tommaso Medion.
The Archaeological Museum
Situated in the famous Palazzo bondi, this museum contains objects from various periods in the cultural history of the island, found at various archaeological sites in Gozo.
All archaeological material found in Gozo is now shown in this 17th century house known as Casa Bondi. Of special interest are sherds of the Ghar Dalam phase (5000 B.C.) found at Ghajn Abdul, probably the oldest ever found in the Maltese islands and Majmuna tobstone, a beautiful marble inscription in Kufic characters dating to 1174 A.D.
The Natural Museum
This small museum has a collection of exhibits which outline the zoological development of life and its various species on our planet with special reference to the situation of the Maltese islands. The geological development and structure of the Maltese archipelago is demonstrated in an impressive manner.
The Folklore Museum
This Museum is housed in three late medieval houses with Sicilian-influenced architectural features. Many ancient and modern tools and items of everyday Gozitan life are shown and explained with emphasis on the special handicraft of the island. Exhibits consist of agricultural implements which include a mill for grinding corn, items related to the cotton industry, tools used in different crafts and some traditional costumes.