Legend Has It…
According to legend, the Cittadella was cursed by a young woman who was unjustly sentenced to death by the Knights of St John. The woman prophesied that the Cittadella would be destroyed by lightning, and indeed, it was struck by lightning several times.
In fact, one of the most devastating lightning strikes occurred in 1551, when lightning ignited a powder magazine within the Cittadella, causing a massive explosion that destroyed much of the fortress and killing several locals who were seeking refuge there.
The Cittadella was later rebuilt, but it was struck by lightning again in the 1800’s, causing significant damage to some of its towers and walls.