The Gozo Citadel
Malta’s sister island Gozo offers peace and tranquility to all those seeking a romantic getaway from everyday life.
If you are seeking a holiday with a difference, then Gozo, the sister island of Malta offers a safe haven from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Only a 20 minute ferry ride away from Malta, Gozo is often mentioned in connection with bliss and pleasure, as conveyed through its name which means ‘joy’ in Castilian.
The second largest island of the
Maltese Archipelago, Gozo has ripples of greenery from the south-west to the north-west while the coast is surrounded by cliffs. Its rural and easy leisurely pace has given local residents a simple life that remains rooted in its culture, fishing and agricultural society.
Gozo’s capital of Rabat has a fortified citadel atop of its hill which offered shelter to the old town and security from raiders in the past. The citadel offers an idyllic settling with its old houses and a small cathedral that is enriched with magnificent bastion walls.
Having received its nickname of the Isle of Calypso, tradition has it that it was derived from the location of Ogygia in the Greek mythological poem Homer’s Odyssey. Legend has it that the island was controlled by nymph Calypso who held the hero of the story Odysseus as a prisoner of love for seven years. Gozo is thought to be the modern day equivalent of Ogygia.
Rich in historical locations, one fascinating fact is that the Ggantija temples together with the Megalithic Temples of Malta, are the world’s oldest free-standing structures.
A serene and greener setting than Malta, Gozo is home to the iconic Azure Window, a natural arch that formed millions of years ago when a limestone cave collapsed. Eye-catching and secluded beaches are scattered all over the island with the most popular being Marsalforn and Xlendi Bays making Gozo a beloved destination for divers and swimmers.