"VICTORIA - GOZO" a Victoria Travel Page by micajo

Victoria is the capital town of the island of Gozo. The name Victoria, locally known as Rabat, was given to the medieval town of Gozo in 1887 in honour of the famous British Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations. At the same instance, the town was also raised to the status of a city; then officially known as Citta' Victoria.

The town of Victoria embraces both the Citadel, the ancient city of the Island, as well as Rabat, the old suburb of the Citadel. Rabat in Arabic and Archaic Maltese stands for suburb and this name was first documented as Rabbatum in a notorial deed drawn by Andrea de Beniamin on 22nd February 1455. Its motto is A magna maxima (From great supreme). The coat-of-arms has an azure background and portrays a shield with three hills and the letters VR (which stand for Victoria Regina) on top of the shield. There are many places of historical and cultural interest in Victoria and a visit to the Citadel is considered a must. From these fortifications one can enjoy a superb view of the whole Island. Also within the Citadel there is the Gozo Cathedral and the Law Courts, as well as the Cathedral Museum, the Gozo Museum of Archaeology, the Folklore Museum,theCitadel Armoury,the Folklore Museum,the Old Prison, and the Natural Science Museum.

The centre of the capital city of Gozo is Pjazza Indipendenza, known as it-Tokk. The square is dominated by the Banca Giuratale, built between 1733 and 1738, formerly the seat of the municipal government of Gozo and presently of the Victoria Local Council. In the mornings, there is an open market that shares the square with several open air cafes. The magnificent St.George's Basilica is located in the centre of the old town, just off the open air market in Pjazza Indipendenza. The cobweb of narrow streets around St. George's Basilica are the oldest in town and are worth a walkaround.

In Triq ir-Repubblika (Republic Street), Victoria's main street, there are all kinds of shops, a couple of shopping arcades, pharmacies, banks, the Police Headquarters, the Bishop's Chancery, as well as La Stella and Leone Band Clubs who own the Astra and Aurora opera theatres respectively. In lower Republic Street, one also finds Villa Rundle Public Gardens which were laid out by the British in 1910. These gardens, with a variety of local and imported trees and a fountain, are an oasis of peace in the hustle and bustle of the busy town.

Close to the crossroads is Victoria's main parking area and the Bus Terminus. Other smaller parking areas are in St George's Square, Savina Square, St Francis Square and St Augustine Square.