Victoria Street Shrine Walk — a free self-guided tour of Gozo's capital

Victoria's old streets hide more than fifty small religious shrines — niċeċ in Maltese — set into walls and above doorways, some over 300 years old. Most visitors walk straight past them. These three short walks show you where to look. Each one takes under an hour, starts a few minutes from the Citadel, and is free.

Before you start

  • Wear flat shoes — the lanes are stepped and uneven.
  • Go early morning or after 4pm in summer for shade.
  • Every shrine is on a public street — nothing to book.

Which walk takes in Victoria's Baroque shrines?

The Baroque Heart · 1.2 km · 30-40 mins

A journey through the historic core of Victoria, focusing on the most ornate Baroque niches around St George's Basilica and Pjazza Savina.

  1. 1Immaculate ConceptionImmaculate ConceptionSouth wall of the Church of St Francis, Pjazza San Franġisk, Victoria, Gozo
  2. 2Immaculate ConceptionImmaculate ConceptionCorner of Pjazza Savina, Victoria, Gozo
  3. 3Madonna of LoretoMadonna of LoretoPjazza San Gorg, Victoria, Gozo
  4. 4Aloysius GonzagaAloysius GonzagaCorner of Triq Karità and Triq Mons Gużeppi Farrugia, Victoria, Gozo
  5. 5Blessed Madonna of MercyBlessed Madonna of MercyCorner of Triq Mons Gużeppi Farrugia and Triq San Indrija, Victoria, Gozo
  6. 6AndrewAndrewTriq San Indrija, Victoria, Gozo
  7. 7Madonna of ProvidenceMadonna of ProvidenceCorner of Triq San Gorg and Triq il-Providenza, Victoria, Gozo

See all these shrines on the map

Which walk follows the shrines of the Virgin Mary?

Marian Devotion Trail · 1.8 km · 45-60 mins

Explore the various titles and depictions of the Virgin Mary, from the Immaculate Conception to Our Lady of Sorrows, scattered through the winding lanes.

  1. 1Immaculate Conception (Ta’ Caraffa)Immaculate Conception (Ta’ Caraffa)Pjazzetta fuq Tomba / Triq tal-Għajn, Victoria, Gozo
  2. 2Immaculate ConceptionImmaculate ConceptionPjazzetta fuq Tomba / Triq tal-Għajn, Victoria, Gozo
  3. 3Queen of HeavenQueen of HeavenPjazzetta fuq Tomba, Victoria, Gozo
  4. 4Assumption of the MadonnaAssumption of the Madonna124 Triq Sant’Orsola, Victoria, Gozo
  5. 5Madonna of Good CounselMadonna of Good Counsel39 Triq Santa Ursula, Victoria, Gozo
  6. 6Madonna of Mount CarmelMadonna of Mount CarmelCorner of Triq id-Dawwara and Triq Mons Lwiġi Vella, Victoria, Gozo
  7. 7Madonna of Ta’ PinuMadonna of Ta’ Pinu82 Triq il-Vajringa, Victoria, Gozo

See all these shrines on the map

Which walk finds the saints who guard Victoria's homes?

Saints & Guardians · 1.5 km · 40-50 mins

A route dedicated to the protector saints of the home and community, featuring St Joseph, St Francis, and St Andrew.

  1. 1St JosephSt Joseph104 Triq il-Vajringa, Victoria, Gozo
  2. 2St JosephSt Joseph24 Triq Għajn Qatet, Victoria, Gozo
  3. 3FrancisFrancisCorner of Triq Repubblika and Triq Taħt Putirjal, Victoria, Gozo
  4. 4Francis (Pax et Bonum)Francis (Pax et Bonum)Triq Taħt Putirjal, Victoria, Gozo (Franciscan Sisters convent)
  5. 5St JosephSt Joseph8 Triq il-Belliegħa
  6. 6AndrewAndrewTriq San Indrija, Victoria, Gozo

See all these shrines on the map

Is there a printed guide to the Victoria shrines?

Nicċeċ Volume 1 is a photographic record of every surviving shrine in Victoria, researched and photographed by Rob Polli. A print edition is coming — register your interest and we'll let you know when it's ready.

Register for the print edition