TOUR DE LA VILLE

At the entrance to Victoria, the houses are reminiscent of Valletta, with their carved limestone and green shutters. Local entertainment is concentrated around the main street, Triq ir-Repubblika (Republic Street).

Inthe pretty Independence Square (it-Tokk), there is a market and souvenir and craft shops. The church, dedicated to St. James, dates from 1740. The monument in the centre of the square pays tribute to the victims of the Second World War. Near Independence Square is the bus station. In St. Francis Square, with its fountain, traffic is in full swing. You will notice the church of St. Francis and some shops.

Fromthis square, you can go to the lively districts or to the deserted and narrow streets where the old Gozitains, on their doorsteps, are basking in the sun. In these pedestrian streets you will get lost in a maze of dead ends, nooks and crannies, among gaunt cats and antediluvian Triumphs. The houses are typical with their copper knocker in the shape of a fish and, next to the door, their small niche with a statuette of a saint or the Virgin. Some houses, moreover, when they do not bear the name or surname of their occupants, have the name of a saint or, just as piously, are called Ave Maria. On the shutters and balconies, green, the traditional colour of the main streets, fades here in favour of shimmering hues. In these streets, you want to go through all the doors to discover the fresh and calm interiors that can be guessed.

You will find in these small streets the softness and tranquillity of the villages of Provence. Other old houses, with wrought iron balconies, doors and walls painted in the colours of the sun and the sea (green, blue, ochre) are next to renovated buildings with very modern apartments. See in particular Narrow Street (Triq id-Dejqa), with its small fountain.

In a perpendicular street, School Street, you can stroll before heading, via Charity Street (Triq il-Karita), towards St. George's Basilica. The basilica, built in the baroque style between 1672 and 1678, is located in a charming square. The island's culture owes much to rival brass band clubs. Each with its own theatre, they offer a varied programme, especially of operas. For example, Gozitains have recently been able to attend performances of Turandot andAida. Every day, you can have a drink or a snack.