Have you ever seen Gozo’s ‘invisible dome’? The Cathedral with an optical illusion ceiling
At first glance, visitors stepping into the Cathedral of the Assumption (Katidral ta’ Santa Marija Assunta) in the Cittadella of Victoria, Gozo, are often struck by its impressive Baroque dome. But here’s the twist, as recently highlighted by Maltese Islands Weather – the dome isn’t real.
Painted in 1739 by Sicilian scenographer Antonio Manuele, the ceiling is actually a flat surface transformed into a masterpiece of illusion. Using a painting technique known as trompe l’oeil (French for ‘deceive the eye’), Manuele created an architectural trick that convinces onlookers they are gazing up into a soaring dome.
This clever skill combining geometry, perspective, and artistry was one of the earliest examples of such illusionary painting in Gozo, and it continues to amaze visitors nearly 300 years later.
The illusion becomes even more impressive, ironically, when the artwork is removed for restoration, revealing the plain flat ceiling beneath it. The last time this happened was in 2019, when tourists captured rare photos of the bare surface before the artwork was reinstalled.
Today, the ‘invisible dome’ remains one of Gozo’s most fascinating hidden gems – a reminder of how art and architecture can play tricks on the mind and elevate the spiritual atmosphere of a sacred space.
Have you ever been fooled by this optical illusion?