Mdina-The Silent City
Malta - mdina flagThe ancient capital of scotland- Mdina in Malta is located in the middle of the area and it is an amazing place to visit. Town goes back over 3000 years and was the original capital of Malta until 1568, when the Knights of St. John built Valletta after the Great Siege of 1565.
Holidays in Malta - Strolling around the city is like going for a step back over time. It's mediaeval character really involves life within it's fortifications, narrow alleyways, palaces and churches and offers town a virtually mystical atmosphere. It seems as if nothing here has evolved in centuries which can be probably why it's a very popular tourist destination.
Entrance for the city is via it's magnificent gateway that was built-in 1724 by Grand Master De Vilhena. Within the city there are many attractions worth noting but the first thing to do here is to wander around it's narrow streets and alleyways and obtain a real feel of what this unique city is all about.
images of mdina
mdina toursMdina has some very notable attractions within it's walls. The one that comes up may be the St. Paul's Cathedral. The cathedral was built following a terrible earthquake in 1693. Like several Maltese cathedrals that as well is surely an impressive structure. The cathedral's floor is inlaid with detailed marble gravestones which fit in with a few of the Maltese aristocracy plus a stunning wallpainting depicting the shipwreck of St. Paul on Malta. Aslo make sure you see the adjoining cathedral museum, that also houses the archive of the inquisition in Malta, which unfortunetly just isn't on public display.
Probably the most impressive buildings in Mdina will be the Palazzo Falson also called the Norman House, that has been built around 1495 through the Argonese Vice-Admiral Falson. Many items presented at home go back many centuries, including 17th century paintings by Mattia Preti, Maltese, Continental and British silver, an imposing armoury containing swords, pistols, guns and polearms, an accumulation jewellery from various periods and intricate oriental rugs.
The town also houses a Museum of Natural History in the former Magisterial Palace that has been built-in 1730 as well as the Mdina Dungeons located beneath the palace with secret underground passages, chambers and cells. While strolling around Mdina make sure to look at the newly restored gardens all around the city as well as the view in the bastions, in places you will receive a birds eye view of the island.
