It is calculated that the population of Gozo from prehistoric to medieval times was from around 1700 to 2000. The population began to grow after the beginning of Norman rule. By 1530, the population had surpassed 5000.

The population growth suffered a great setback in 1551 when thousands were dragged into slavery and it was not before one hundred and thirty years later that it once again reached the 1530 levels. By the times, that is by 1680, the population of Gozo was scattered throughout the island.

According to a census of 1667, there were 1795 or 43.1% in Rabat residing in 566 households. In the next reliable census taken in 1842, the Rabat population had grown to 4904 but had fallen to 34.2% of the Gozitan population

At the beginning of the twentieth century, in 1901, it stood at 5057 but just 25.3% of Gozo. The growth continued steadily and, in 1948, by the middle of the century, it had grown to 6175 but only 22.4% of Gozo. In 1957, it climbed to 6357 and 23% of Gozo. Due to mass emigration in the following decade by 1967, it had fallen to 5462 and just 21% of Gozo. By 1985, it had risen again to 5968 and 23% of Gozo. According to the last census taken on 26 November 1995, the population of the City of Victoria had grown to 6524 that is 22.5% of the 29,026 living in Gozo on that day.

Victoria is the capital city of Gozo, also known among the Maltese as Rabat. It includes both the old Rabat town and the Citadel – the antique city on top of the hill. In fact, Rabat means ‘suburb’ in Arabic, meaning that the town was a suburb of the Citadel. The town has a population of around 7,000, making it the most populated town in Gozo. The name Victoria was given in 1887 in honour of the famous British Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, and the town was also raised to a city status.

The Cittadella is located on a hill, in the geographical nucleus of the island, and has been called, appropriately, the Crown of Gozo. It seems that the Citadel had already been the centre of since prehistoric times, around 7000 years ago. However, it was first fortified during the Bronze Age approximately around 1500 BC, further developed by the Phoenicians and finalized into an Acropolis during the Roman Times. The massive defensive stone walls rising above the town were constructed by the Knights to shelter the villagers from attacks. There are many attractions in Victoria and a visit to the Citadel is a must.

The centre of Rabat is Independence Square, also known as it-Tokk, dominated by the Banca Giuratale, built between 1733 and 1738. This building was the seat of the municipal government of Gozo, while nowadays it hosts the Victoria Local Council. The square is buzzing with activity in the morning; a daily open-air market sells all sorts of tourist souvenirs, while a number of cafes surround the square, offering cold beverages and pastizzi to the visitors.

The Grand Basilica dedicated to St. George is in the centre of the old town, just off Independence Square. The small streets surrounding the basilica are the oldest in town and are worth a walk around; you’ll be impressed by the local delicacies sold in the small shops.

The main road, Republic Street, is the commercial heart of the city. A couple of shopping arcades, banks, band clubs and opera theatres dominate this street, while you can also find Villa Rundle Public Gardens for a relaxing time away from the noise of the city.

The Folklore Museum is one of the most attractive Museums in Gozo and is tucked away in one of the narrow and windings roads within the walls of the Citadel in Victoria, Gozo. The Folklore Museum exhibits an extensive range of pieces that show the domestic, rural and traditional ways of life people used to lead in Malta and Gozo in the past centuries.

The Folklore museum in Gozo is located in a medieval Siculo-Norman building that dates back to the beginning of the 16th century which is as interesting as the museum itself. The Folklore Museum is in fact accommodated in a cluster of interconnected medieval houses that used to belong to rich families and are actually the only ones still left in Gozo. These buildings are medieval architectural gems and the only other examples in Malta can be found in Mdina and Birgu (Vittoriosa).

The Folklore Museum opened in 1983 and its wide ranging collection is spread over two floors. On the ground floor, visitors can view items related to rural trades and skills such as sickles, spades, winnowing forks, shovels and ploughs, as well as a selection of grinding mills. On display there are also domestic Gozitan craft, such as the popular and beautiful lace.

The first floor used to be the living area, and today it hosts an exhibition related to hobbies such as hunting and modelling of churches full of religious accessories. These miniature church models require both skill and patience to make and are still a popular hobby in Malta and Gozo. The exhibition also hosts several furniture pieces, a beautiful collection of traditional costumes, a very interesting ex-voto collection as well as items from traditional fishing.

Other items that can be found in the museum include a stone oven, a cotton gin, vegetable grading machine and many more interesting and educational objects.

*Joint admission fees to Citadella Sites include The Folklore Museum, the Gozo Archaeology Museum, the Old Prison, and the Natural Science Museum.

The Old Prison is located in Gozo within the walls of the Citadel, overlooking Cathedral Square and was originally connected to the law courts. The Old Prison has a lot of interesting things to see such as original graffiti from inmates depicting crosses, ships and the cross of the Knights.

This prison was used between the mid-16th century until the beginning of the 20th century and is today divided into two sections, the entrance hall and the individual cells. The entrance hall was used as a shared cell in the 19th century while the freestanding block contained six individual cells of 5.4 square metres for the more dangerous prisoners. Upon the Knights of St John’s arrival to Malta, the prison cells turned into rooms used by the men to cool down and take shade from the sun.

Today, the entrance hall is home to an exhibition about fortifications found in Gozo. The six individual cells are still very well preserved, almost as in the same condition they were in in the 19th century. The cells are surrounded by a narrow and exciting corridor and two of them overlook the central courtyard. This museum is ideal for children who want to explore how life in prison would have been like, as well as older persons looking to learn about the history of Gozo.

*Joint admission fees to Citadella Sites include The Folklore Museum, the Gozo Archaeology Museum, the Old Prison, and the Natural Science Museum.