Gozo
A Gozo gone by! Take a look at Rabat’s Republic Street in the early 1900s
Take a look at their clothes!

Francesca Vella

An early 20th-century photo by Mikiel Farrugia, nicknamed il-Badiku, has recently resurfaced on the nostalgic 'Gozo Album' page, offering a snapshot of Republic Street in Rabat, Gozo.

Even though this photo was taken over a century ago, many of the street's features and buildings remain strikingly similar today. The image captures the section of the street just before Gozo's two main theatres - Teatru Astra and Teatru Aurora - which sit almost directly across from one another on this street. And if you look closely, you'll spot the distinctive Maltese balcony at the corner of Republic Street and Capuchin Street, still standing as a tribute to days gone by!

The people shown in the photo, though, look entirely different to those seen walking along the street today, decked in Victorian wear, complete with parasols and top hats! A horse-drawn carriage shown in the picture isn’t all that different to the ones still seen today, although the difference is that it was the main mode of transport back then!

Can you imagine living in 20th century Gozo?

22nd January 2025


Francesca Vella
Written by
Francesca Vella
Francesca has always felt most at home in a cinema or theatre, particularly if musicals are involved. She loves to read, write, and share about her experiences of both the fictional and the real world.

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