Cittadella, Medieval citadel in Rabat, Malta
Cittadella is a fortified site on a hill above Victoria, the capital of Gozo Island. Stone walls from the 16th century enclose narrow lanes, buildings in pale limestone, and small squares within the defensive structure.
The hill was inhabited since the Bronze Age and later served as a base for Phoenicians and Romans. The current walls were built after a raid in 1551, when islanders were taken into slavery.
The Cathedral of the Assumption, constructed in the late 17th century, stands as the main religious building within the fortress walls of Cittadella.
The fortress is open during daylight and several museums operate within the walls. Stairs and sloping lanes connect the different levels of the site.
The cathedral inside displays a painted sky that mimics a dome. The construction of a real dome structure remained unfinished for lack of funds.
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