
1	Mdina Gate	11	Palazzo Santa Sophia
2	Greeks' Gate	12	St. Peter ad Vincula
3	West Entrance	13	Testaferrata Palace
4	Cathedral	14	Convent of St. Benedict
5	Palazzo Falzon	15	Church of St. Peter
6	Church of St. Roque	16	Casa Iguanez
7	Archbishop's Palace	17	Vilhena Palace
8	Carmelite Church	18	Tower of Standard
9	Casa Gourgion	19	De Redin Bastion
10	Seminary and Museum	20	Banca Giuratale



S1	St. Paul Square	S3	Bastion Square
S2	Bishop Square	S4	St. Publius Square

A	Iguanez Street	E	Villegaignon Street
B	Mesquita Street	F	Magazines Street
C	St. Paul Street	G	Holy Cross Street
D	Bastion Street	H	De Redin Tunnel

Mdina is located South-West of Valletta and just North of Rabat towards the centre of the island of Malta. Mdina is a fortified medieval city built on top of a hill. Mdina was the first capital city of Malta and served as the capital during the times of the Arabs, the Romans, and the Normans. It lost its status as Capital City when Valletta was built by Grandmaster Jean de la Valette. King Alfonso V of Aragon named the city "Notabile" The city became known as "Citta' Vecchia" (meaning Old City") when Valletta was built.

The whole city is walled and its approaches protected by ravelons. The foundations of the ramparts are of Arab origin. The Knights raised and reinforced the Bastions and built a ditch to protect the southern approach to the City. The walls still contain sections of Roman, Byzantine, Arab and Norman work. There are two main entrances to the City, both located on the South side. The main entrance, Mdina Gate (Map # 1), was built by Grand Master de Vilhena in 1742. The other entrance is the Greeks' Gate (Map # 2). A small entrance is located on the West wall (Map # 3).

It is only forty square meters but it is an architecturally and historically rich city. Mdina is also known as the Silent City since only the handful of residents are allowed to drive there. There are a handful of small souvenir shops and a small number of restaurants, courtyard cafes, and roof-top cafes, but no other stores of any kind.

A church was built at the site of the cathedral by Count Roger circa 1100. Count Roger brought stone masons from Sicily to build the church. An extension was added in 1492. The original church was destroyed in the earthquake of 1693 and only the Asp was left standing. Local architect Lorenzo Gafa' was commissioned to build the cathedral in 1697, when he was 67. The cathedral was finished in1702 and was consecrated in the same year. A fresco of "The Shipwreck of St. Paul" done by Mattia Preti can be found in the new semi-dome of the Cathedral.

Other churches in Mdina include St. Roque (Map # 6), St. Peter (Map # 15), the Carmelite Church (Map # 8), and St. Peter ad Vincula (Map # 12).

This is one of the most interesting medieval buildings in Malta. It has double arched windows and cornice and string course of triangular corbels with small balls attached beneath them.

The building was designed by architect Giovanni Barbara and was built in 1733. The porch is supported by an Atlas-like telemon on either side. The museum collection includes items saved from the earthquake of 1693. Items of interest include paintings, manuscripts, vestments, a collection of coins and some 15th century Sicilian panels which formerly decorated the choir in the Cathedral.

To get to Mdina, which is located on the outskirts of Rabat, take the Rabat bus, Route 80.

Pictures of some of the buildings and architecture of Mdina and other scenic photographs. All the pictures were taken in June of 1995 during my visit to Malta.

MALTESE CITIES, VILLAGES AND SITES

MDINA