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Mdina Malta The
old capital of Mdina is a most interesting and typical mediaeval town situated in the centre of the island. The "Silent City", as it is also known, commands a magnificent view of the Island and although it is fully inhabited, silence reigns supreme.
It is thought to have been first populated by the Phoenicians around 1000 BC. When Malta came under the Romans, the Governor chose to build his Palace there and it housed the government. The city earned its present day name from the Saracens who came to Malta around 870 AD. They surrounded the city with thicker walls, separating it from its nearest town, Rabat.
Today, mercifully it is mainly off limits to cars and there
is a calming atmosphere as you walk along its narrow streets
and ways, passing by some of the best Norman and Baroque
architecture on the island. Several Palaces are situated
here, most serving as private homes. The Cathedral is worth
visiting and is fronted by a large square, the only open
space you'll find within this tiny City
 The
Mdina Experience. AUDIO VISUAL SHOW A good audio visual show
ideally seen at the start of your visit to Mdina. Centuries
of history unfold, making your exploration of this gem
easier and informed.
The Mdina Cathedral. The 11th Century Siculo-Norman
Cathedral was damaged by an earthquake in 1693 and rebuilt
by Lorenzo Gafa'. It houses several paintings by Mattia
Preti and other treasures such as the two chapels of the
Blessed Sacrament, sculptures and the Baptistery. The
Cathedral Museum is located in a baroque palace and includes
various works of art.
National Museum of Natural History is situated in Vilhena
Palace and houses 7 sections including collections of
fossils.
Palazzo Falzon, better known as Norman House is a fine
medieval building worth viewing. It is situated at
Villegaignon Street, and was generously donated to the
nation by its owners.
The Bastion gives you the best vantage point for a panoramic
view of most of the Islands
Mdina acts like a time capsule, transporting you to another era. Tucked away in the narrow alleyways, you can find a couple of good restaurants, like the Medina and the Bacchus, and a Cafe right on the bastion walls. The
history of Mdina is as old and as chequered as the history of Malta itself. It
can trace its origins back more than 4000 years. This old medieval capital of
Malta rises above central Malta, its bastions and cathedral dome dominating the
skyline. It is fascinating to tour for its timeless atmosphere and cultural and
religious treasures. Mdina has had different names and titles depending on its
rulers and its role. It was Melita to the Romans; Medina to the Arabs; and Citta'
Vecchia, the old city, when Valletta became the lifeblood of the Islands. None
describe it better than its medieval name, Citta' Notabile, the noble city. It
was home to Malta's noble families, some descendants of the Norman, Sicilian and
Spanish overlords who made Mdina their home from the 12th century onwards. Their
impressive palaces line its narrow, shady streets. Mdina is one of Europe's
finest examples of an ancient walled city, and unusual in its mix of medieval
and baroque architecture. Today Mdina has a quiet, restrained atmosphere in
keeping with its noble past. Lamp-lit by night, Mdina transforms itself into the
`Silent City'. For a relaxed evening, seek out the restaurants tucked away in
its bastions and palace courtyards.
Rabat-Mdina
Rabat can lay claim to the origins of Maltese Christianity.
Beneath St Paul's Church is the Grotto of St. Paul, where, according to
tradition, the Apostle Paul lived for three months after being shipwrecked on
the Islands in A.D. 60. Over the centuries, many religious orders have
established themselves within Rabat. Franciscans, Dominicans and Augustinians
still flourish here in their spacious monasteries. Rabat was a large
provincial township, part of the Roman city of Melita. The Roman wall extended
to where the town centre lies today. The sites and the archaeological relics
found here testify to the town's importance during the Roman period. The
Museum of Roman Antiquities, or Roman Villa, near Mdina's walls has a fine
mosaic floor. It shows the Roman lifestyle here to have been one of relative
prosperity. Rabat remains the suburb of Mdina, but today it is far bigger than
the ancient citadel. The countryside beyond the town leading up to Dingli
Cliffs past Buskett Gardens, Malta's largest wooded area, is ideal for
walking.
Originally an agricultural town, Rabat has grown into one of Malta's more pleasant locations. Surrounded on all sides by open and fertile countryside, it has a gentle and open feel to it, thanks to the lack of intensive building developments.
On the perimeter of the road that separates Mdina from Rabat (walk through the public Gardens at the Entrance to
Mdina), you can find the Roman Villa, a significant Roman remains discovered in 1881. The main attraction is the mosaic floor, and the present building was constructed around it to help preserve it. Other artifacts like ceramics and busts of Tiberius can be seen.
Close to St Paul's church, reputedly Malta's first parish church, which also houses a Grotto that was used by St Paul during his stay on Malta, one can find the 'Catacombs'; tombs and tunnels dug out of stone, which according to legend, served as a hiding place for St.
Agatha, who had fled Sicily in 249 AD, trying to avoid marrying the then Governor of
Catania, Quintanus. Frescoes dating back to the Byzantine period (c. 395-870 AD)
A little distance away from Rabat on the way to
Dingli, lies the Verdala Palace. This was built in 1586 for the eponymous Grand Master, and is surrounded by the largest concentration of fir and olive trees in Malta, above the citrus groves of Buskett Gardens. This place offers a great contrast from the somewhat treeless countryside, especially during summer.
A short distance away are the Dingli Cliffs, Malta's highest point; dramatic sheer cliff faces which offer great views, particularly of
Filfla, an protected islet in the distance. All these locations are clearly signposted, and public transport (Buses 80 & 81) is available to Rabat and
Dingli.
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