What if a group of international travel writers were to visit Gozo? And what if they were all passionate about history and archaeology? The answer is that they would fall in love with the island. Moreover, they would fall in love with its beating heart, the newly reborn Cittadella.
The Ministry of Gozo in collaboration with MTA recently invited six journalists from Italy, France, UK and Germany, and two photographers from Italy and Israel, to experience what Gozo has to offer and especially what the Cittadella looks like today, after the major restoration and rehabilitation projects co-financed by the European Union.
First stop, the new Visitors Centre, which is located in two unused water reservoirs and will be officially opened by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat on 30th June.
Through interactive audiovisuals and interpretative materials in eight different languages, this Centre will fill a long-felt absence of information on the Cittadella, but it will also become a main attraction for all visitors.
According to Nadia Durrani, from Current World Archaeology magazine, UK, “The Visitors Centre should not be missed. It perfectly combines the past and the future of Gozo in an intriguing experience.”
Raffaella Piovan, from Belleuropa magazine, Italy, added: “It makes it possible for everybody to explore the water reservoirs from within. Thanks to the multimedia tools, they turn into a suggestive, sharing space where history and current times blend together.”
The Cittadella, in fact, is the symbol of Gozo. Since its remote beginnings, it has been a point of reference for the Gozitan population as well as for foreigners. The work carried out within its walls and just outside has been done to highlight this relevant role and value.
“The new rehabilitated ditch is the best example of it,” Italian journalist Raffaella Piovan said. “With the shining green grass, the flowers and the nicely designed benches, it is now the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the view of the bastions. When I was here a few years ago, the ditch was a derelict and abandoned space. Now it can be a surprising leisure and cultural location.”
And it will be. During the Swar U Hajja at the Cittadella on 9th July, it will host folk games and hands-on activities (the programme and the details are available on www.facebook.com/cittadellagozo/ and www.visitgozo.com/en/event/special-events/a-night-out-at-cittadella-17026/), and it will be a lively meeting point all summer long, together with other 63 places of interest.
The calendar of events for Swar U Hajja is rich and brilliant: re-enactments, interactive acts, dance, live music, children theatre and more, including a hi-tech app that can be downloaded to explore the Cittadella in 3D virtual reality while touring.
Bryce Charton from www.prestigeetsante.fr, France, said he hadn’t expected the Cittadella to be so interesting and vibrant. He just couldn’t stop walking along its paths and discovering every single corner and building.
He added that a lot has been done to increase and improve accessibility for everyone: the new lifts, stairs-lifts and lifting platforms will make it easy for everybody to reach the Cathedral and any other location.
Susy Mezzanotte, a renowned Italian photographer on assignment for Belleuropa magazine, spent an entire night trying to take the best photos of the Cittadella from different spots around the island. “With the lights on, it is even more scenographic and special. It’s just magic!”
“The Cittadella, together with the Ġgantija Temples in Xagħra, definitively put Gozo on the map as one of the best archaeological and historical destinations in Europe,” said Alexandra Hoskins from Explore History, UK. “It’s my first time here but I would certainly recommend it for a visit or a holiday, especially for those who might be interested in cultural heritage.”
On the other hand, Sibylle Anett Gerlinger from Rhein Neckar Zeitung, Germany, has been coming to Gozo regularly for more than 15 years. She is impressed by the number of changes the island has made. “Apart from the Cittadella, many things are improving. The locals themselves are assuming new attitudes and habits. The food, for example: less fish and chips and more healthy and organic menus.
“Gozo has all the potentials to become a leading tourism destination in Europe. It can surely be included among the top destination islands in the Mediterranean. Gozitans love their island, and I can feel it. I love it too.”
The restoration of the Cittadella marks a new era for Gozo, in the opinion of Marc Silver from Square Rocks LTD, UK. But Gozo also means sea, sun, beaches, cliffs… and amazing natural attractions. “I was here more than 20 years ago. I didn’t remember Gozo being so beautiful and welcoming. It is different from Malta and it could be an island destination itself. My only concern is about numbers: if Gozo will attract too many people, it will lose its slow pace and relaxing atmosphere.”
Erez Maron agrees. He is a nature photographer from Israel, concentrating on landscape and wildlife photography. In Gozo, he found the perfect scenario for his images.
“I could have spent a week shooting sunsets at the Azure Window and diving into the fifty shades of blue at Comino,” he laughs.
During the three-day Press Trip, the journalists and photographers explored Comino and its caves by speedboat, the Salt Pans, Mgarr-Ix-Xini, Ta’ Cenc Cliffs, the Azure Window and the Inland Sea. They have tasted the food and the wines produced locally in Gozo, they have experienced the warm, cosy and safe accommodation in the typical farmhouses. Moreover, they appreciated the unique, friendly Gozitan hospitality.
No matter where they came from, they all had words of praise for Gozo, saying they hoped Gozo will continue with the renovation of the local gems and treasures.
“I would consider Gozo a good place to live with my family,” Marc Silver said, “So I hope they will keep up the very good job they are doing. There is no better way to invest money than using it to enhance local heritage,” adding that he wishes he could be back next July to celebrate the Cittadella’s renaissance in style.
I take this opportunity to invite you all to visit the Cittadella
Dr Refalo is Minister for Gozo