Gozo Day 7:

 

I had decided to do my own thing today as I had seen little of the main town on Gozo. M and C had been here before so had seen the main sights. After breakfast we got the same bus into town and then went our own way. 

It was only a ten minute walk from the bus stop to the Citadel. An information board outside explained that some 12,000 years ago, a land bridge stretched from Sicily to North Africa. When sea levels rose after the last ice age , this land bridge was submerged leaving its high points to form the islands of Gozo and Malta. Natural forces then shaped Gozo's limestone landscape creating the flat topped hill on which the Citadel now sits.

The fortified hill of the Citadel protects Gozo's most sacred space. Within its walls, Phoenicians and Romans built their temples; early christians and medieval citizens worshipped in stone churches and in the 17th century a splendid church was built. Once inside you can walk around the walls of the Citadel giving you magnificent views of Gozo. 

The town of Victoria

The dry fields on the outskirts of the town.

Within the walls was a cathedral with a museum as well as an archaeological museum and old prison cells.



     

The cathedral has no dome but the space for the dome has been taken up by a painting attached to the flat ceiling. it creates the image of a cupola without the need to build one. The result is very convincing.

The Trompe L'Oeil dome. Painted by Antonino Emanuele in 1739 (restored 2019)

Walking around the Citadel you could feel a sense of history. There was a very good video at the entrance which explained much of its history.

From the Citadel I made my way down to the historical part of the town with its narrow lanes and houses with large doors and balconies.

I had really enjoyed my visit into the town but the heat was rising so I decided I would return to the hotel. It was our final day, we would be leaving very early in the morning to catch the ferry back to Malta and from there on to the airport for the flight home. This afternoon was my last opportunity to enjoy the spa facilities and relax in the pool. It was fabulous until I stepped out of the pool onto what felt like a shard of glass. I'm amazed I didn't scream as the pain was so intense. I looked at my foot and could only see a tiny ball which looked like a snail. Looking on the ground I saw another of these tiny snails. They could only be a few mm across. Looking it up on the internet I could only find marine snails (cone snails) which have a tooth like a harpoon and will inject you with a poison. These are found under the sea so that didn't make sense unless they had been brought into the hotel on shoes or through the water system that was used for the pools. I found a tiny hole under the toe from where the pain was coming from so maybe this was a tiny version of the marine one. If so it can certainly pack a punch. Fortunately the pain eased off after a while. Thinking back I feel I should have reported it as maybe this had happened before but too late now..

 

Our last night in the beautiful restaurant. I have enjoyed the hotel, food, walking and of course the company. Hope you've enjoyed sharing it with me.