A flush from the past! Here's a quirky fact for World Toilet Day from Gozo's Citadel
In celebration of World Toilet Day, the Citadel Museums and Sites page operated by Heritage Malta has shared a light-hearted yet fascinating slice of history from one of Gozo’s historical heritage spots: the Gran Castello Historic House.
Located within the winding streets of the Citadel in Victoria, the Gran Castello Historic House is a cluster of interlinked dwellings on Bernardo DeOpuo Street, with origins stretching back several centuries. Today, the site features exhibits showcasing traditional Gozitan domestic life, but it is gradually being reimagined to reflect what an 18th-century urban household would have looked and felt like.
The architecture of these connected houses hints at Sicilian and Catalan influences, with refined Late Gothic details that reveal the wealth and social standing of their former residents. The buildings were restored and opened as a museum in 1983.
And here’s where World Toilet Day comes in. Back in the 18th century, sanitation was a far cry from modern standards – no plumbing, no running water, and very few comforts. Yet this particular house featured a private indoor toilet area, rather than the more common outdoor setup in the backyard. For the time, this was considered a huge luxury, marking just how privileged the household would have been.
A fun reminder that even centuries-old homes still have stories to tell, sometimes in the most unexpected corners!
Ever visited the Gran Castello Historic House?