The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, located at the heart of the Cittadella in Victoria, Gozo, stands on a site rich in religious history. It was originally a prehistoric settlement, then a Roman temple dedicated to Juno, followed by a Byzantine church honoring the Dormition of Our Lady. This sacred tradition was interrupted by Arab rule, during which the Christian structures were destroyed. With the reestablishment of Christianity under the Normans, a new church was built, first mentioned in 1299, which endured attacks such as the 1551 Ottoman siege and was later damaged by the devastating 1693 earthquake.
The current Baroque church, designed by renowned architect Lorenzo Gafà (who also designed the Mdina Cathedral), was completed in 1711 and consecrated in 1716. It features a trompe-l’œil ceiling simulating a dome and a majestic façade inspired by the Church of the Gesù in Rome. It became the cathedral of the Diocese of Gozo in 1864, symbolizing the spiritual heart of the island. Devotion to the Assumption of Mary is strong here, with the feast celebrated annually on August 15. The cathedral’s historical layers reflect Malta’s enduring Marian faith and its resilience through centuries of cultural transformation.
- Address
It-Telgħa tal-Belt, Ir-Rabat Għawdex, Malta
- Web
https://www.gozocathedral.mt/ - Visiting Hours
Monday to Saturday from 8:00 to 17:00 - What to see
Museum, baroque paintings
