Mdina, also called the Silent City, is surrounded by fortified walls and sits on top of one of the highest hills of Malta. Built in medieval times, much of its original architecture has been preserved and its narrow alleys tell tales of centuries of history and the various rulers that governed Malta.

There’s a distinct feel you get when walking through these alleys and the views over large parts of the island from on top of the bastion walls are breathtaking and indicative of the area’s strategic importance to its various occupants.

Standing proudly on one of Malta’s highest promontories, the old capital looks like a medieval walled city straight out of a fairy tale. The fortress city, which acted as Malta’s capital city before Valletta was built, once extended to the neighbouring town of Rabat.

Once past the deep moat, nowadays a public garden, and inside the city’s walls, cobbled streets are lined with immaculately preserved noble houses, private chapels, palazzi, and cathedrals. The streets are narrow and winding, and walking along them feels like trying to find your way out of a maze; a feeling which adds to the element of surprise at finding large squares. Silence pervades, and is the perfect complement to a walk on the bastions, as well as taking in the panoramic view of most of Malta and the surrounding sea.

Today Mdina is a major tourist attraction recognised internationally as an important UNESCO heritage site (currently on its tentative list).

History of Mdina

Punic remains have been found in the area around Mdina and suggest that Phoenician settlers inhabited the region around 700 BCE. Historians believe that even they fortified the city they then called Maleth. Mdina’s location was of strategic importance, situated on one of the island’s highest points and relatively far away from the sea.

The Romans also recognized Mdina’s strategic importance and developed the city further, also building the Roman Governer’s palace there.  It was during the Norman conquest of Malta in 1091 AD when Mdina’s outline was shaped as we know it today. Mdina’s thick surrounding fortifications and wide moat were constructed by the Normans and much of the architecture in Mdina dates from medieval times.

Mdina was fortified in medieval times, but its protection in early times must have been its high location on a rocky hill. It is certain that either during the Byzantine or during the Arab occupation of Malta, the fortifications were retracted to the present proportions, perhaps for better defensibility. Although the Arabs were officially expelled from Malta in 1250, the Arab legacy continued. The name ‘Mdina’ survived even though the City’s name had changed several times throughout the centuries, from Maleth by the Phoenicians, Melita by the Romans, Medina by the Arabs, Citta’ Vecchia (the old city) and Cita’ Notabile (the noble city) during medieval times.

A strong earthquake destroyed parts of Mdina in 1693, after which the Knights of Malta rebuilt the cathedral and erected buildings such as Palazzo Falzon and the Magisterial Palace in Baroque style.

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Map of Mdina

Mdina is one of the few great architectural treats in Malta that did not result from the activities of the Knights of Malta. The oldest city on the island, going back to pre-historic times, the word Mdina derives from the Arabic word ‘medina’ which means ‘city’. Mdina was fortified in medieval times, but its protection in early times must have been its high location on a rocky crag. It is certain that either during the Byzantine or during the Arab occupation of Malta, the fortifications were retracted to the present proportions, perhaps for better defensibility. It is during this time, when the city was referred to as the ‘medina’, that Mdina got its name. The Arab legacy continued even though the Arabs were officially expelled from Malta in 1250 when the Islands were under Christian rule. Thus the name ‘Mdina’ survived even though the City was referred to as ‘Civitas’ (city in Latin) or ‘Citta Notabile’.

It may be on most postcards and is a must in all the painters’ portfolio, yet the sight of Mdina as you are driving up to Rabat is a view that does not fail to amaze every time. Standing proudly on one of Malta’s highest promontories, the old capital looks like a medieval walled city straight out of a fairy tale. It is an inspiring view; a city that hundreds of years after it was built still commands respect, awe, and curiosity about its tales. And what tales, innumerable and long-winding given the city’s long history. The fortress city, which acted as Malta’s capital city before Valletta was built, once extended to the adjoining town of Rabat. Yet the fortified city was subsequently downsized in order to defend it more effectively.

Once past the deep moat, nowadays a public garden, and inside the city’s walls, cobbled streets are lined with immaculately preserved noble houses, private chapels, palazzi, and cathedrals. The streets are narrow and winding, and walking along them feels like trying to find your way out of a warren; a feeling which adds to the element of surprise at finding large squares. Silence pervades, and is the perfect accompaniment to a walk on the bastions, and a pause to take in the view of most of Malta stretching out to the sea.

Today Mdina is a major tourist attraction recognised internationally as an important UNESCO heritage site.

Places to See in Mdina

The Norman House

Palazzo Faison, generally known as the Norman House, is the best-preserved medieval building in Mdina. Built in 1495, it was occupied by the first Grand Master in Malta, L’lsle Adam. when the Knights arrived here in 1530.

Archbishop’s Palace

Mdina has always been the seat of the Bishop of Malta. The Archbishop’s Palace, which was built in 1722, serves as the residence of the Archbishop of Malta.

Banca Giuratale

After Grandmaster Vilhena confiscated the original Ministerial Palace for his own use, the Universita (local government) found its new seat in this building. During the revolt against the French, a national assembly came together here.

Vilhena Palace

Vilhena Palace has a fine baroque facade and an impressive entrance courtyard, both of which one notices on the right, when entering Mdina through Notabile Gate.

Palazzo Santa Sophia

The basement of this house is assumed to be the oldest in “Siculo-Norman” style and dates back to 1233.

Mdina Cathedral Museum

Originally a seminary, the museum today is one of the most outstanding religious museums in Europe. A small chapel is found on the second floor exhibiting church vestments. It also exhrbits an impressive cross-section of sacred art, famous paintings, a coin collection, Roman antiquities, and original documents from the time of the Inquisition.

Cathedral of St. Paul

The skyline of Mdina, with its baroque cathedral, bastions and palaces, is an imposing landmark visible throughout central Malta, The Cathedral is the architectural heart of this elegant, walled city, and ties on the site of a much earlier Norman church destroyed by a violent earthquake in 1693.

Places to See in Rabat

Howard Gardens

Howard Gardens are one of the biggest public gardens in Malta. These gardens form a natural border between Rabat and neighbouring Mdina.

Casa Testaferrata

This house was the seat of the old noble family Testaferrata. Historians believe that in Roman times, on the site of this building there was a temple dedicated to Apollo.

Palazzo Gatto Murina

Palazza Gatto Murina, one of the earliest ‘Siculo-Norman’ structures (i.e. built between 1100 and 1530), was erected during the latter part of the 14th century. An audiovisual show “Tales of the Silent City” is housed inside the Palazzo.

Xara Palace

The Xara Palace is a small Relais & Chateaux hotel. The history of the late 27th Century Xara Palace is inextricably part of the city walls that make up its impressive bastions.

Casa Inguanez

This is the palace of the oldest noble family of Malta, and was originally built in 1370. The house contains numerous paintings and valuable documents.

St. Paul’s Catacombs

The Maltese islands are rich in late Roman and Byzantine burial sites. St. Paul’s Catacombs are a typical complex of interconnected, underground Roman cemeteries that were in use up to the 4th century AD. St Paul’s Catacombs represent the earliest archaeological evidence of Christianity in Malta.

The Roman Domus

The mosaic pavements in the ‘Roman house’ at Rabat rank among the finest and oldest mosaic compositions from the western Mediterranean, alongside those of Pompeii and Sicily. They were discovered in 1881 just outside Mdina in the remains of a rich and sumptuously decorated town house of the Roman period.