Old Prison Gozo
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Old Prison Gozo

4.2
·317 reviews·Victoria, Malta

Step back in time at the Old Prison in Gozo's Cittadella, where you can explore ancient cells and learn about historical inmates.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekdays, mornings

Fewer crowds, more peaceful

CrowdLow
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Old Prison Gozo

Old Prison Gozo

Best Time

Weekdays, mornings

Fewer crowds, more peaceful

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Step back in time at the Old Prison in Gozo's Cittadella, where you can explore ancient cells and learn about historical inmates. TikTok

4.2
(317 reviews)

"A quick but fascinating glimpse into historical confinement, especially with the value-packed combo ticket. Reddit"

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Combo Ticket is Key

Get the Cittadella Combo Ticket for access to 5 museums, including the Old Prison. Great value! 🎟️

📸 Stocks Fun

Don't miss the chance to take a fun photo in the old stocks! Great for memories. :camerawithflash:

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Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.2 · 317 reviews

Type

Museum

👶 Good for kids

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Historic Prison Cells

Historic Prison Cells

Inside the Old Prison

Step into ancient cells with original markings, sketches, and writings from past inmates.

Reddit
Stocks Photo Opportunity

Stocks Photo Opportunity

Entrance area

Pose for a fun photo in the historical stocks – a memorable snapshot of your visit.

Reddit
Grand Master's Confinement

Grand Master's Confinement

Inside the Old Prison

Learn about notable prisoners, including Grand Master Jean Parisot de La Valette, who was once held here.

TikTok
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Planning Your Visit

Combo Ticket Value

Consider the Cittadella Combo Ticket for the best value. It covers the Old Prison, Visitor's Center, and several other museums within the Citadel, saving you money compared to individual entry fees. Reddit

Quick Visit, Big Impact

The Old Prison is a small exhibit, often taking only 10-20 minutes to explore. It's a quick but fascinating stop to understand historical confinement. Reddit

Best Times

When
Weekdays, mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, more peaceful
Crowd
Low
When
Off-season
Why
Quieter experience
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Old Morrocan prison where prisoners remained in holes not prison cells
@plutosdestiny
538.8K likes • 5.6M views

🎯 Combo Ticket is Key

Get the Cittadella Combo Ticket for access to 5 museums, including the Old Prison. Great value! Reddit 🎟️

📸 Stocks Fun

Don't miss the chance to take a fun photo in the old stocks! Great for memories. Reddit :camerawithflash:

The Old Prison. Il-Ħabs l-Antik. The Old Prison of Gozo’s Citadel was used by the Knights to contain their rowdy and disruptive members. The list of notorious inmates included none other than Fra Jean Parisot de La Valette, Grand Master and commander during the Great Siege of 1565 and founder of Valletta. In 1538, he spent four months in this prison after attacking another man. The walls of t...
kappavision_gram
133 likes • 0 views
They caught me ⛓️ #gozoisland #oldprison #victoria #rabat #cage
camu____
80 likes • 0 views

⏱️ Quick Exploration

The prison is small, so allow about 10-20 minutes for a thorough look. Reddit :stopwatch:

📜 Historical Insights

Read the information panels to understand the history and lives of the prisoners. Reddit 📜

reddit.com

I'm a guide at Pentridge Prison, AMA

For 147 years Pentridge was the high security prison in Victoria. It saw the last gasps of the convict transportation system, the last uses of corporal and capital punishment in Australia, and some of the first steps toward a more modern prison system like we have now. The…

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Combo Ticket is Key

Get the Cittadella Combo Ticket for access to 5 museums, including the Old Prison. Great value! Reddit 🎟️

📸 Stocks Fun

Don't miss the chance to take a fun photo in the old stocks! Great for memories. Reddit :camerawithflash:

⏱️ Quick Exploration

The prison is small, so allow about 10-20 minutes for a thorough look. Reddit :stopwatch:

📜 Historical Insights

Read the information panels to understand the history and lives of the prisoners. Reddit 📜

What Travellers Say

4.2
(317 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors find the Old Prison a quick but interesting historical stop, especially when included in the value-packed Cittadella Combo Ticket. While small, the original cell markings and the chance to learn about notable prisoners like Grand Master La Valette are highlights. Some find the individual entry fee steep for the short duration, but most agree it's a worthwhile addition to a Cittadella exploration. TikTokReddit

"Bought the Cittadella Combo Ticket. €13 adults/ €9 seniors and students with proof of student ID / €7 children under 11. This price bought entrance to the Cittadella Visitor’s Center, Gozo Museum of Archaeology, The Old Prison, Gozo Nature Museum and the Gran Castello Historic House. All of these places were visited and the grounds were walked within a period of two and a half hours without any stops for bathroom, coffee or food. There are plenty of bathrooms and areas to eat, drink or snack.

The Old Prison is a rather small exhibit with a wealth of information. It is well worth visiting to learn who was held here, why, when, and how they lived. There is a small gift shop near the entry. It took twenty minutes to walk through the exhibit during an off season."

Justice Kali Di Quartuccio

"Small passage between prison cells, you can go inside one, there are old markings, writings and sketches of ships, very interesting, whole experice takes max 10 minutes. Not bad, but also not missing out on anything special. Entrance fee is 5 euros, is valid for 2 more museums in the citadel ( but not the cathedral ). Museums are very small."

Dario Budimir

"Not very big, but still worth a visit and a photo in the stocks!"

S G

What People Like

Historical cell markings
Grand Master La Valette history
Stocks photo op

What People Dislike

Small size
Individual ticket price

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Old Prison is located within the Cittadella in Victoria, Gozo. You can reach Victoria by bus from various points on the island. Once inside the Cittadella, follow signs for the Old Prison. TikTok

There is parking available in Victoria, but it can be busy. It's often easier to park and then walk up to the Cittadella. Reddit

The ferry terminal is in Mgarr. From there, you'll need to take a bus to Victoria. Walking from Mgarr to Victoria is a significant distance. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

The Old Prison can be entered with the Cittadella Combo Ticket for €13 (adults), which includes 5 museums. If purchased separately, it costs €5, but this is generally not considered good value. Reddit

The combo ticket grants access to the Cittadella Visitor's Center, Gozo Museum of Archaeology, The Old Prison, Gozo Nature Museum, and the Gran Castello Historic House. Reddit

Yes, there are discounted prices for seniors and students with valid ID. Children under 11 also have a reduced ticket price. Reddit

Opening hours can vary seasonally, but generally, the Cittadella museums are open daily. It's best to check the official Gozo Tourism website for the most up-to-date information. Reddit

Tickets can typically be purchased at the Cittadella Visitor's Center. While online booking might be available, it's usually straightforward to buy them upon arrival. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Most visitors spend around 10-20 minutes inside the Old Prison, as it's a relatively small exhibit. Reddit

You can see the historic prison cells, some with original markings and sketches, and learn about the prisoners held there, including Grand Master La Valette. TikTokReddit

The Old Prison has narrow passages and steps, which may pose challenges for those with significant mobility issues. It's advisable to inquire about specific accessibility before your visit. Reddit

Restrooms are available within the Cittadella complex. While there isn't dining inside the Old Prison itself, there are cafes and eateries nearby within the Cittadella. Reddit

Photography is generally allowed for personal use, but it's always a good idea to check for any specific restrictions posted at the entrance. Instagram

📸 📸 Photography

The most popular photo spot is in the stocks near the entrance. The interior cells also offer unique, atmospheric shots. InstagramReddit

Yes, the original markings and sketches on the cell walls are a key feature and can be photographed. Reddit

Given the potentially dim lighting inside the cells, a camera with good low-light performance or a tripod might be helpful for sharper images. TikTok

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