Citadel in Victoria, Gozo

Last Wednesday I spent an hour around sunset/dusk in Victoria, trying to get a couple of nice pictures of the citadel, with the aim of illustrating one of Gozo’s medieval heritage gems for a work-related project. It was the third or forth time I went there purposely for taking photos – I really love strolling between those ancient walls! On the website of the Ministry for Gozo the citadel is described as being “… endowed by such a photogenic grace and splendour, that makes its sight unequalled not just on the Maltese Islands, but also practically anywhere.” *snickersnort* (Kathy, that’s just one of the best words ever LOL!)

Deserted alley within the walls of the Citadel in Victoria, Gozo

Apart from the fact that I couldn’t have chosen a much worse day weather-wise (very windy, and the hazy air seemed saturated with desert sand), the whole place is in such a pitiful state that I was wondering whether I should turn my venture into a photo-shoot of the bad and the ugly and send the results to the local press. That’s what I would have done a few years ago when I still erroneously believed that awareness would bring change. Well, I resisted the temptation, mainly because I badly needed that “nice photo”, and tried to concentrate on making do with what there was. Taking great care to shoot around the sorrier sights, I still didn’t succeed in taking the one shot with a “wow” effect that I was after. However, I did get a few nice pics out of it, which I’m showing in this post.

Citadel bastion in Victoria, Gozo - parked cars were bluntly photoshopped away

The first thing you’re greeted with upon arriving are haphazardly parked vehicles that mar each and every angle that you would want to shoot. Just plain awful. As you enter Cathedral Square, the four-wheeled mess gets worse (even at that hour of the day!) and is complemented by the wind and weather-torn scaffolding that has been adorning the Cathedral for… um I don’t really know, but it’s been a long, long time. The following photo was taken on 14th March 2009:

Cathedral in Victoria, Gozo, with scaffolding in March 2009

And this one is from almost a whole year later:

Cathedral in Victoria, Gozo, with scaffolding in February 2010

The above mentioned article on www.gozo.gov.mt does say that “restoration is constantly underway especially through the help of UNESCO.” I guess ‘constantly’ is supposed to be taken literally, and the help of UNESCO will probably have to last a lifetime by the looks of it.

The Cathedral's bell tower

It’s the same at every corner you turn. Scaffoldings, rubble and construction paraphernalia, accentuated by cables and wiring criss-crossing alleyways, not to forget the huge antennas gracing the highest spots. Ah, and a special mention goes to that hideous wooden structure that provides shelter to patrons at various functions throughout the year. It’s been there for longer than the Cathedral’s shabby dress and looks a bit like John Wayne might arrive in a moment to tie his horse to it. How on earth did the permit for this thing materialise?? I just about avoided that structure intruding into this shot:

Canons on the citadel in Victoria, Gozo

People have accused me in the past for being too critical.  But this is the kind of stuff that just makes me mad, I just can’t help it. Such a little island – a beautiful one at that… And yet it seems mission impossible to get it up to scratch. It’s really sad! Diamond? Ma nafx jien. Well, maybe a rough one, lacking lots of polishing…

Sentry (I think?) on the citadel in Victoria, Gozo