Wreaths have been laid on a newly-inaugurated monument in Victoria, Gozo, to recall  the 1551 Ottoman attack on Gozo which resulted in practically the whole population being carted off to slavery.

The brief ceremony was held yesterday just outside the Citadel. The successful siege on the poorly defended island had ended on July 26, 1551. 

Wreaths were laid by Gozo Minister Anton Refalo and Fr Joe Vella Gauci, Malta's ambassador to Unesco.  

Dr Refalo said an annual commemoration would be held to recall what had gone down in history as Gozo's worst tragedy. 

The new monument, at the entrance of the Citadel, was designed by John Grima.

A concert to recall the 1551 event will be held at the Citadel ditch on Saturday at 8.30pm.

THE ATTACK

The Ottoman force attacked Gozo after having run into stiff resistance in Malta.

The force under Sinan Pasha bombarded what then was a weak citadel. Gozo governor Gelatian de Sessa attempted to negotiate with Pasha but his overtures were rejected.

The citadel capitulated and just under 6,000 people were taken to slavery in Tripoli. About 300 Gozitans escaped by climbing down the walls. The Ottomans only spared some 40 elderly Gozitans. 

The tragedy is also recalled in Victoria with a street named after Bernardo Dupuo, who, according to legend fought the Ottomans and killed his wife, his two daughters and then himself, rather than fall into slavery.