"The Old Capital" a Mdina Travel Page by pieter_jan_v

Mdina is the former capital of Malta build on the edge of the Dingli plateau. The city was called Melite until in 870 Arab capturing. High walls were build to protect the riches and the city was renamed Maleth. In 1422 the first Turkey's attack was stopped easily. In 1530 the Knights of St. John coming from Rhodos settled at the Island of Malta and started their headquarter here. As they needed supplies by sea, the Knights moved to Birgu and started to fortify Valetta. In 1571 Valetta became the new capital, which was under siege in 1565 by a Turkey's armada carrying 40.000 soldiers. After half a year of bloodshed the Turks retreated. In 1693 big parts of Mdina were damaged by an earthquake. From 1730 Grandmaster Vilhena managed the repair of old buildings and construction of new palaces. Napoleon troops were beaten in1798 and later the Britsh took over. From 1883 till 1931 there was a railway in use with the capital and especial the Rabat part growed.
Nowadays the old city only has 400 inhabitants.