Ta'Richardo Restaurant, The Old Citadel, Il-Kastell, Victoria (Rabat), Gozo, Malta.
The Citadel has been the centre of activity of the island since possibly Neolithic times but is known to be first fortified during the Bronze Age approximately around 1500 BC It was later developed by the Phoenicians and continued into becoming a complex Acropolis by Roman times During the Roman era Gozo was a privileged Roman Municipality and hence independent from Malta This made the site of the Citadel the administrative military and religious focal point of the island with a temple dedicated to goddess Juno dominating the area where the present Cathedral now stands The north side of the Citadel dates back to the Aragonese domination period while the south flank overlooking Victoria was re constructed under the Knights of St John namely between 1599 and 1603 This was close to the epilogue of Gozo s darkest period when for quite over a two centuries marauding Turks alongside with Berber corsairs continuously harassed and pillaged the Maltese Islands For this reason until 1637 the Gozitan population was required by law to spend their nights within the Citadel for their own safety The climax of the Turkish raids was tragic for Gozo and its population The year was 1551 when a strong Turkish naval force after attacking Malta unsuccessfully turned its sights to the rather unprotected Gozo to overwhelm the Citadel after a short siege With its medieval walls crumbling under constant cannon fire the Citadel withstood wave after wave of assaults and was definitely not taken by storm It was only when all hope of help from Malta was lost did the defenders beg for an honourable capitulation Tragically for the population then counting to around 5000 the surrender terms were far from honourable save for 40 elderly and valueless citizens The rest were chained and taken into slavery It took nearly 50 years to re populate Gozo and rebuild the Citadel into the present layout
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Photo credit: © BonkersAboutTravel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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