Victoria (also Victoria Rabat, officially Maltese Ir-Rabat Għawdex) is the capital of the Maltese island of Gozo. Victoria is located in the center of Gozo and is the most populous city on the island, accounting for almost a quarter of the island's population. Archaeological finds prove that the area was already inhabited in the Bronze Age. The Romans established a settlement here in the 3rd century BC. From 535 to 870, the city belonged to the Byzantine Empire. During the Arab occupation (until 1127), the settlement was given the name Rabat. At that time, it essentially consisted of a citadel. In 1814, Malta and Gozo came under British rule. In 1864, Gozo became its own diocese with Rabat as its episcopal see. On the occasion of Queen Victoria's golden jubilee in 1887, the bishop and a high judicial official of Gozo requested that Rabat be renamed Victoria.
The island of Gozo from above. In the center you can see the capital Victoria with the citadel. Click on the image to enlarge the photo!
Pictures of the citadel
View from the citadel towards the south
Pictures from the city of Victoria
You can see the Triq ir-Repubblika, the city's long, dead-straight shopping street. It leads to the former market square It-Tokk, then to San Gorg Square with the church of the same name. The baroque St. George's Church is known for its magnificent carvings, marble construction and colorful ceiling art.
