The Central Bank of Malta has recently unveiled the second commemorative coin for this year, the first of which features the Maltese Honey Bee. This coin features Gozo’s iconic Cittadella, the fortified area at the top of a hill in the island’s capital, Victoria.

Approximately 80,000 coin cards of this coin have been issued, and it’s being named the first of the ‘Maltese Walled Cities’ series. Beside the image of the walled city itself are the initials NGB, those of the designer of the coin, Noel Galea Bason.

The citadel’s significance in the islands’ history is undeniable, with archaeological evidence pointing back to the fact that the site has likely been inhabited since Late Neolithic times.

Later on, in the medieval and early modern times, the Cittadella served as a fortress and a refuge for the inhabitants of Gozo for centuries, playing a central role in the island’s military defence against various invaders.

One of the most important events linked to the Cittadella was the Ottoman attack in 1551, during which the fortress was overwhelmed. Almost the entire population of Gozo, around 5,000 people, was enslaved and taken to Libya. After this devastating event, the fortress was further fortified by the Knights of St. John to better withstand future attacks.

Such historical significance has been recognised worldwide, and the Cittadella has been included as a candidate in Malta's tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1998.

When was the last time you visited the Cittadella?