All roads in Gozo lead to Rabat, also known as Victoria. The Citadel is visible from almost all the Island, rising steeply above the surrounding countryside. The Citadel in Gozo owes its roots to the late medieval era, but the hill has been settled since Neolithic times. For centuries, the Citadel served as a sanctuary from attack by Barbary corsairs and Saracens. At several times during Gozo's history, these raiders took its population into slavery.
The delightful sea inlet, known as Xlendi Bay, lies at the end of a deep, lush ravine which was once a river bed. Until the mid-20th century, Xlendi was a small fishing port and a restful summer resort for a few locals and Maltese.
