The Cittadella, in the centre of Gozo, is a small fortified city on a naturally defended hill overlooking the Gozo capital, Victoria (Rabat). This strategic location was ideal for ancient settlements and served as the administrative centre during Phoenician and Roman times. The hilltop has hosted a proto-urban settlement since the Bronze Age and likely featured a monumental public building or temple in classical times. Over the centuries, the settlement expanded on to the plain but contracted back to the hill during the Middle Ages, with the medieval township thriving until the 16th century.

During frequent invasions, the inhabitants of Gozo converted the abandoned Roman ruins into a fortress, which now constitutes most of what one can see today in the Cittadella from the late medieval period. In 1530, Malta became the domain of the Knights of St John, a gift from Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. 

However, in 1551, Ottoman forces led by Turgut Reis invaded Gozo, capturing almost every resident who had taken refuge in the Cittadella. They took over 6,000 Gozitans as slaves in one of the worst incidents of mass slavery in history, leaving Gozo with a decimated population. Today, the Cittadella’s architecture is predominantly military, with notable Baroque structures like the 17th-century Cathedral Church, which became the Bishop’s Seat in 1864.

The site of the Cathedral of the Assumption has historical significance dating back to ancient times. Historians claim that during the Roman period, a temple dedicated to Juno (Hera to the Greeks) stood in this location. This confirms the site’s long-standing religious importance.

Between 1697 and 1711, builders constructed the present cathedral on the ruins of an earlier church that had suffered significant damage during the earthquake of 1693. They followed the design of Maltese architect Lorenzo Gafà.  

The cathedral’s architecture is Baroque, characterised by its grandeur and detailed ornamentation. It is most famous for the remarkable trompe l’oeil painting on its ceiling, by Antonio Manuele from Messina and raised in position on 24 March 1739 depicting the interior of a dome that was never built.

Church authorities consecrated the Cathedral on October 11, 1716 and dedicated it to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, a central feast in the Roman Catholic calendar. Still, the cathedral was lacking the statue of ‘Santa Maria’.

The Leone Philharmonic Society acquired the statue of ‘Santa Marija’ in 1897 from the ‘fabbrica di statue religiose’ of Rome. It arrived in Gozo in July 1897 and Bishop Camilleri blessed it on the parvis of Saint James (San Gakbu) Church, at It-Tokk, on August 13. The band celebrated with the hymn “A Maria Assunta,” composed by Mro Vincenzo Carabott. They paraded the statue through the streets of Victoria and raised it on a plinth at It-Tokk, with this demonstration occurring every August 13.

The Leone Band committee passionately hoped they will some day transfer the statue to its rightful place in the cathedral. Their efforts intensified after Pope Pius XII declared the Assumption of the Virgin Mary as a dogma on November 1, 1950. Finally, Bishop Joseph Pace granted the request of the Leone Band Committee, and on April 29, 1956. Bishop Pace blessed the statue of ‘Santa Marija’ in Pjazza Savina and then the Banda Leone accompanied ‘Santa Maria’ in procession to the cathedral. For the first time, this August procession took place in the evening that year.

The opening of the archway in the Cittadella fortification was crucial to allow the entry of the statue of ‘Santa Maria’ thus reinforcing the cathedral’s role as the focal point of religious activities on the island. All this happened because of the vigorous and dedicated work of the Leone Philarmonic Society committee during that time.

But the experts and consultants entrusted with the restoration of the Cittadella in Gozo, which began in 2008 and completed in 2016, at a total cost of about €14 million, had other ideas regarding this archway. Anyone confirms and I agree that the restoration was really a masterpiece. But I beg to differ on how this archway is closed temporarily, which is really an eyesore. They ignored the fact that the Cathedral now holds the devoted statue of ‘Santa Maria’ which remains a beacon of hope to all Gozitans. Poet, late Gianni (John) Cremona wrote in one of his ballads:

“ifthu it twieqi gejja Il-Madonna,”

(open all windows, Our Lady is coming)

According to the 2008 Cittadella restoration Masterplan, one objective behind reinstating the old entranceway was to “recreate Cittadella as it originally struck the visitor”. 

“Reviving the old entrance as the main gate to the citadel would recreate a more authentic spatial experience. It forms an element of surprise as visitors walk through the vaulted passageway into the main square,” the Masterplan said.

The experts used an image of a similar gate at the Vatican, ignoring the sacrifices and commitments the Leone Band Club Committee went through to welcome ‘Santa Maria’ in the Cathedral. This gate includes an iron frame, local Maltese limestone, bronze, and glass. Several electric motors operate this door is mechanically, each controlling different openings within the door at a total cost of €398,443.

Does this justify and glorify ‘Santa Maria’ in the Cathedral? The Cittadella was a fortress but now it is a Gozitan attraction that welcomes all visitors but above all is the shrine of all devotees to Our Lady. 

This gate was an idea lumped on all the Gozitan organisations and stakeholders. To enhance the overall perception of visitors, various organisations made alterations to other fortifications and historical places. It seems the Cittadella was the exception.

Here I quote Ms Emily Cauchi on May 2016:

“The cathedral square has seen a total change with new lighting, new facades and a multitude of other things, with beautiful results. May I add, now that all is practically completed, they are closing the complete square with some kind of door, even though people could enjoy the new lit-up cathedral from a distance.”

“Why go through all that trouble and expense and then cover it all up behind a door? Besides, is this door going to be opened and closed continuously for different functions?”

Ms Cauchi is on the right side of history, and time will prove her right.