Mdina Fortress — Attraction in Mdina

One of Malta's biggest tourist attractions is Mdina, the island's former capital. Mdina stands on a well-defended hill and has been inhabited since the Temple Period (4th millennium BC). Walls were first built during the turbulent Bronze Age. The Phoenicians founded a walled city here which they called Malet (i.e. "place to shelter"), and it was probably already the island's capital at that time. After the Romans conquered the island, they renamed the city Melita, a city that was three times as large at the time (the city boundary was at the level of the catacombs). In the 9th century, the Arabs conquered the island and divided the city into two: the suburb of Rabat and the citadel of Mdina (Arabic for "walled city") with its new walls and moat. After the conquest by the Norman Sicilians, Mdina (and Malta as a whole) took on a more European appearance. Since the "universitá" (governing council) has been located in Mdina since the 13th century, many of the noble families built a palace here. The King of Aragon therefore called the city the "Città Notabile" since 1427. With the arrival of the Knights of St. John on the island in 1531, Mdina lost its position of power. The Knights of St. John took over the power of the nobility and also moved the capital to Birgu and Mdina became the "Città Vecchia". Nevertheless, the city remained important (militarily), because after the heavy earthquake of 1693, Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena had the affected buildings restored in Baroque style and between 1722 and 1736 the medieval city walls were modernized and given their current appearance. Nowadays Mdina is a museum city and only about 250 people live there. Mdina is therefore called the "Silent City", something that applies mainly at night, because during the day the narrow streets and cozy squares are flooded with day tourists. Understandably, because it is rightly one of the main...

Mdina is a fascinating walled city, the original capital of the country, and contains the co-cathedral (the other, far larger and more ornate, is in Valetta) and its associated museum, which has a fabulous display of religious silverware, among other things. Unfortunately, the marvellous crib scene I'd seen in the cathedral two years before had been removed for restoration, which would take three years (its scale can therefore be imagined). It's fascinating to walk around the city, with little shops and odd buildings, often open to the public, around every corner, built, inevitably, of the local limestone, and to gaze across the island from its parapets, which are massive. It's also possible to walk along the dry moat that separates Mdina from Rabat. We found two places for a snack, one with the view I've described above, and the other partly in a square (beware drifting tobacco smoke!). Buses from around the island call just...

Mdina, with its rich history dating back to the 8th century BC, offers a captivating experience that takes you through the various chapters of Malta's past. Originally founded as Maleth by Phoenician settlers, the city underwent transformations, earning the name Melite during Roman rule and later adopting its present name during the Arab occupation, derived from the Arabic word 'medina.'

Mdina's charm lies in its preservation of medieval character, with a Baroque revival in the 18th century adding distinctive features. Today, Mdina stands proudly as a UNESCO World Heritage Site candidate, drawing visitors to its historic streets.

Key attractions within the city walls include Mdina Gate, Greeks Gate, and the Torre dello Standardo. Immerse yourself in history at St. Paul's Cathedral and Catacombs, explore cultural treasures in Palazzo Vilhena and Palazzo Falson, or wander through the enchanting Palazzo Santa Sofia and...