A special military re-enactment was held at the Rabat Citadel, Gozo©2007 Mario Galea

In Guardia Re-enactment at Gozo’s Citdadel

On Saturday July 21 a special military re-enactment was held at the Citadel, Rabat, Gozo. This latest initiative by the Malta Tourism Authority was the first of a series of re-enactments that will be held in Gozo during the summer months. This was done to animate the Citadel’s historic and architectural beauty with a vibrant re-enactment that was enjoyed by tourists on tour of Gozo.

Some 25 re-enactors, dressed up in late 16th century military attire, undertook the role of a military contingent of the Order of the Knights of St. John. The contingent demonstrated its military prowess in front of several hundreds of tourists, who on that day happened to be mostly English language students who were on a Gozo tour. Muskets were shot whilst pikemen and Palace Guards proved their military skills with their halberds. The troops also carried out guard duties at various points of the citadel’s ramparts. This was a duty that had to be seriously and constantly undertaken due mainly to the menace of corsairs and Ottoman maritime aggression that prevailed during the period which is being represented.

The performance took one hour to re-enact (from 11.00 hrs until 12.00 hrs). Due to its success with tourists, the re-enactment will be held again on August 18 and September 15.

This initiative was planned and executed by the Malta Tourism Authority in conjunction with the Gozo Tourism Association to attract more tourists to one of Gozo’s most historic locations.