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In 1551 pirates enslaved the ENTIRE population of Gozo — all 5,000 people. The trauma built this fortress. Today the view from the walls is one of the finest on Malta.
Entering Victoria on Gozo, you see it immediately — the Citadel stands on the hill like a crown, visible from every point on the island. It is not a decoration. It is a fortress with the most dramatic history on Malta.
Turgut Reis (Dragut), the famous pirate admiral, attacked Gozo with a large fleet. Residents sheltered inside the Citadel. The walls proved too weak. The pirates enslaved the entire population of Gozo — approximately 5,000 people. The island lay deserted for years. They were only freed after a collective ransom effort by the entire Order of Malta.
That trauma was the driver behind a radical strengthening of the Citadel's defences — what you see today is the result of that turning point.
The Citadel is in the centre of Victoria — Gozo's capital. Entry to the walls and the fortress grounds is free; museums are paid separately. A Heritage Malta combined ticket is available. Several entrances lead up to the hill — the main entrance is from the square in Victoria's town centre.
Highlights from Robert Maklowicz's travels
Valletta's fortifications
“Te mury pamiętają Wielkie Oblężenie — i do dziś stoją niewzruszenie.”
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