Mdina, Malta, Mdina, Malta

The charming walled city of Mdina, perched high on a hilltop, at the highest point of Malta was the island’s first capital city. Its history dates back more than 4000 years, so it’s considerably older than Valletta, the current capital.

This gorgeous medieval town showcases a mix of Norman and Baroque architecture and is a must-visit on any trip to Malta.

Mdina has had different names and titles over the centuries, depending on its rulers and its role, but its medieval name describes the city best – ‘Citta’ Notabile’: the noble city.

Mdina was first inhabited and fortified around 700 BC by the Phoenicians and was known then as Maleth. Under the Roman Empire, when the city was known as Melite, the Roman governor built his palace here, and tradition says that the Apostle St. Paul stayed there after he was shipwrecked in Malta.

However, it was the Normans who built the thick defensive fortifications around the city and widened the moat around Mdina. After an earthquake in 1693, there was a need to redesign parts of the city. The Knights of Malta introduced Baroque architecture to the city and rebuilt the cathedral as well as the Palazzo Falzon and the Magisterial Palace. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).