The church squares of Victoria

On arriving at the entrance of the Citadel, one notices that the main square is being kept free of traffic. This is a step in the right direction. Such an open space with no vehicles, unlike some time ago when it used to be clogged with parked vehicles, allows for an architectural appreciation of the historical surroundings.

Until recently, the congestion and haphazard parking of vehicles in the small square deprived the visitor of the chance to appreciate the fortified buildings. In other countries, similar spaces within fortifications are traffic-free.

Standing in the middle of the space at the entrance to the Citadel, one can enjoy the surrounding sites which are dominated by the Baroque façade of the island's only Cathedral. The flight of steps has become more grandiose and enhanced with the classical bronze full figures of the Popes which fit very well with the Cathedral façade.

The new clean welcome of the Citadel square could be improved even more if the grounds were to be flat-levelled and made accessible through wide steps - similar to Valletta's famous steps - from the entrance tunnel towards the road.

Embellishment flower-beds can also be installed on either side of the tunnel, while the two trees which are obstructing the complex of bastions could be uprooted. The removal of trees would have a similar impact to that of the reorganisation of the bend area further down the tunnel. In this case, the removal of the bushes and shrubs undoubtedly enhanced the chain of bastions.

Similar traffic-free spaces can also be encouraged in other parts in Victoria, such as St George's square. The surrounding buildings still bear particular characteristics which could be further highlighted with a holistic embellishment project of the square. The square grounds could be paved with decorative stone. Such improvements would surely be welcomed by locals and visitors.

Furthermore, apart from providing the tiny town with breathing and leisure spaces, traffic-free spaces in Victoria could be a way of enhancing security and make it more accessible in emergency situations.

A proposed project, which would have been beneficial to pedestrians, was the construction of a flight of steps by St Francis convent church in Victoria, which would lead from the Victoria parking area up to St Francis square. I was informed that the convent authorities were willing to concede a stretch of land for this purpose.

The advantages of this project are that pedestrians would avoid walking past traffic-congested Salvatore Psaila Street and along the upper narrow part of Main Gate Street to reach the square. The latter street is filled with fumes from vehicles going up the one-way street, at the same time leaving pedestrians with very little space to walk through.

Very often, pedestrians coming from different directions bump into each other along the narrow pavement, so one of whom would have to step off the pavement.

The construction of the flight of steps would serve as a beautiful entrance to St Francis Square because it could be embellished with flowers, benches and attractive lamp posts, similar to urban environments in Rome.

The tiny town of Gozo still enjoys some characteristics which could become unique on the Maltese Islands. Foreigners still find Victoria very attractive because it shows many signs of different eras within a small area. It is these small embellishment works which contribute towards the attraction and uniqueness of Victoria.