Rabat, also known as Victoria, is the capital of the island of Gozo and its largest city. It is known primarily for the Citadel built in the 17th century by the Knights of St. John, which today houses several noteworthy museums.
The city's name comes from Arab times, but in 1897 it was changed to Victoria on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the British monarch's rule. Currently, both names function, but among tourists Rabat na Gozo is often confused with the city of the same name on the island of Malta.
In the 17th century, the Knights Hospitaller built a Cittadella in Rabat. It is now home to a large part of the city's most important monuments. The most conspicuous is the baroque Ghawdex Cathedral decorated with an 18th-century illusionist polychrome. Much less impressive, but older is the Renaissance chapel of St. Joseph standing right next to the walls of the fortress.
Due to the fact that the Cittadella stands at the highest point of the city, it offers beautiful views of the surrounding area. You can admire them while walking along the walls. At the same time, there are several interesting museums inside the fortress, such as the Archaeological Museum, the Folklore Museum and the Natural History Museum. There is also the building of the Old Prison open to visitors, with its original cells preserved.
Apart from Cittadella, there is the lower part of the city, mainly built with 17th and 18th century buildings. Its main monument is the baroque St. George with a rich interior design. There is Hagar - Heart of Gozo - Museum, whose collection includes archaeological finds from the island, as well as a great collection of paintings from the 16th to 18th centuries.
The main meeting place for Rabat residents is Independence Square, around which there are many restaurants and bars. Nearby you can see the church of Santa Savina, built at the beginning of the 20th century. A pleasant place for a walk is the nearby Villa Rundle Gardens, consisting of four parts corresponding to the four seasons of the year.
