Mdina

Occupying a high ridge in the middle of Malta, the old capital city Mdina owes its history to this strategic position.  This geographical prominence has, since olden times, been exploited to the best advantage. One of the most ingenious projects that made use of this high elevation was the conveyance of water from Mdina to the City of Valletta along the aqueduct built by Grand Master Wignacourt.

The archaeological discoveries from different periods prove that Mdina and Rabat are amongst the oldest places to be found in Malta. In Roman times, Rabat and Mdina formed part of a one single city called Melita. The name derives from the Greek word meli, meaning honey. The Roman Domus, popularly known as the Roman Villa, just outside Mdina, boasts a fine collection of remains belonging to the Roman era. Moreover, a number of catacombs can be found in Rabat, the most significant of which is the one associated with Saint Paul’s coming to Malta, better known as Saint Paul’s Grotto. 

In 1090, Count Roger of Normandy took over the island, setting free a number of Maltese people who had been enslaved by the Arabs for embracing Christianity.  Then in 1422 Mdina successfully withstood an attack by the Turks. To commemorate this, King Alfonso V. of Aragon bestowed the title “Citta Notabile” (“Noble City”) on Mdina. Henceforth, in all documents it was referred to as “Citta Notabile”.

The bastions encircling Mdina were built at different periods of time. Those constructed by Grand Master De Redin are probably the most impressive, so sturdy they withstood the tremors of a strong earthquake dated to the 11 January 1693 which left a good part of the city in ruins.

The earthquake of 1693 was to be a blessing in disguise. It damaged a good number of buildings and although the city by this time was sparsely populated, the Curia (Church administration) thought of rebuilding immediately its Cathedral. Later on, during the principate of Grand Master Antonio Manoel de Vilhena the main public buildings were re-built, thus providing Mdina with a medieval section lending well with the Baroque area.

Mdina's landmark is the upper Mdina Gate, which is one of the three gates allowing entrance into the city. In 1724 Grand Master De Vilhena engaged the engineer Mondion for the construction of a massive stone structure adorned with intricate sculptures and statues to mark the principal gate of Mdina. This was built next to the old entrance so as to provide the necessary space for the subsequent building of Vilhena Palace.

Moreover, Mdina has its own share of fascinating museums and places of interest. Every turn is remarkable and picturesque; every building has retained a delightful Maltese flavour sprinkled with doses of Old Town charm. The narrow streets and alleys meander past splendid mansions, like Palazzo Falzon, Palazzo Testaferrata Inguanez, or Palazzo Trapani Galea.

To give a few examples one can mention the Natural History Museum, the Cathedral Museum, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Banca Giuratele, and the Torre dello Stendardo. In addition, visitors can also admire other notable edifices in full glamour, imposing convents, chapels and churches, as well as the enchanting baroque archetype Cathedral built in 1702.    

Today the city is still considered as one of the jewels in the Maltese crown, with its particular architecture, history and social activities.  Mdina’s singular medieval beauty led to the city being chosen as Europe’s city of architecture and history in 1975.

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