"Mdina, Old Capital of Malta" Mdina by starship

Mdina Travel Guide: 280 reviews and 842 photos

One of the many elaborate doors of Mdina

THE SILENT CITY

Mdina is a small jewel of a town that time seems to have passed by. A brief visit to medieval Mdina was enough time only to whet my appetite and leave me wanting to explore in more depth "The Silent City" and its interesting history.

We chose to take a tour which would introduce us to Mdina as well as Valletta and which would eliminate the extra time it would take to use public transportation and the tour departed directly from our ship also saving time. Mdina was relatively a short ride from our port, Grand Harbor. Our excellent guide was a pleasant person who did a wonderful job of explaining the highlights of the rich history of the towns of both Mdina and Valletta. I only wish that I had taped her informative comments so that I could refer to them while building this page. I sometimes sacrificed listening to her in favor of taking photos.

Horse and carriage for hire

Situated on a rocky hilltop about 30 minutes from Valletta, Mdina is a medieval, walled city with its origins dating back at the very least to the classical period (beginning about 8 A.D. when the inhabitants of Malta made connections with the Phoenicians, including the time of Roman rule which began about 218 A.D. with the 2nd Punic War. Then lasting most likely til the fall of Roman rule in 395 A.D.) Mdina served as the first capital of Malta and was a sizable city which at one point included a portion of what is now Rabat. Obviously Mdina was then the seat of power in Malta and it was populated by wealthy families and nobility. Mdina became center stage for the "Order of the Knights of St. John", whose members were also descended from nobility, which played a major part in the history of Malta.

The city derived its name from the Arabic word "Medina" but has borne other titles prior to becoming known as "Mdina;" the other most important name being "Citta Notabile." Although the Arabs were expelled about the year 1250 and the islands thereafter came to be ruled by Christians, the name "Mdina" has remained, and such is the case with many of the streets names which have also retained their Arabic titles.

Mdina is the oldest city on the island and dates back to the time when it was inhabited by the Phoenicians (800 BC), but more probably back to pre-historic times. Like nearly the whole of Europe, Malta has been the prize going to many conquering nations: France and Spain to name but two.

The narrow streets, solid stone walls and buildings are beautiful and seemingly silent -- the streets can be so quiet that it almost seems that no one lives there. But behind each decorative door or graceful balcony, a family and piece of Mdina's interesting history is preserved. Where before Mdina was a great center of activity, now less than a thousand people live there today. The city lives up to its name "the silent city" due to the fact that open space within the city is minimal and only residents may have cars inside of the city so there is virtually little to no traffic.

The Order of the Knights of St. John

The Maltese Cross

One of the most intriquing aspects of Malta to me was its interconnection with the history of the Knights of St. John. Wikipedia states that the "Maltese cross or Amalfi cross is identified as the symbol of an order of Christian warriors known as the Knights Hospitaller or Knights of Malta." It's 8 points are said to represent the Beatitudes and also the 8 & most probably the 8 priories. My first introduction of any significance to the Knights of St. John came during our tour in Mdina. In the accompanying photo you see a marble version of the Maltese Cross found in the courtyard of the Vilhena Palace which now houses the Museum of Natural History in Mdina.

An Extremely Brief History of the Knights in Malta

The Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem were originally established in 1085 as a community of monks (monastic order) responsible for looking after the sick at the Hospital of St. John in Jerusalem. Sources state that "they later became a military order, defending crusader territory in the Holy Lands and safeguarding the perilous routes taken by medieval pilgrims. The Knights were drawn exclusively from noble families and the Order acquired vast wealth from those it recruited."

The Knights more formal name later became known as "Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta." The Knights accomplishments and defeats became important points of history around the Mediterranean, particularly Malta.

The Knights arrived in Malta about the year 1530, after earlier having been sent packing from Rhodes. It was the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, who gave the Knights the option of establishing themselves in Malta. As you explore the city of Mdina, and even more so Valletta, you will find that the history of Malta and the Knights of Malta are inextricably linked. The Knights had a great influence on the transformation of Malta into a presence in the Mediterranean.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Interesting history contained within beautiful stone walls!
Cons:Can be quite crowded with tourists.

Last visit to Mdina: Aug 2008
Intro Updated Jul 16, 2011
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Reviews (9)

Go for the View and the Chocolate Cake! Restaurants (1)

Perhaps no visit to Mdina is complete without a visit to Fontanella's. The location alone, high up on the North Bastion... more travel advice

Flyer from Discover Mdina Audio-Tour - Mdina

Take an Inexpensive Self-Guided Audio... Things to Do (8)

For an inexpensive, but assisted tour of the city of Mdina, consider taking a self-guided audio tour by "Discover... more travel advice

Tales of the Silent City Things to Do (8)

I took a photo of this sign because it mentioned "The Silent City." I believe the sign hung above a shop I visited to... more travel advice

Postcard shows Bastion Square & beyond - Mdina

Bastion Square ~ Piazza tas-Sur Things to Do (8)

At the farthest point of our brief tour to Mdina, we reached "Bastion Square or Piazza tas-Sur" at the end of... more travel advice

Travelogues (2)

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Comments (22)

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globetrott Jul 17, 2011 at 4:00 PM

a very interesting page, Sylvia, I also enjoyed Mdina very much and I as well missed coffee and cake at Fontanella, due to time-problems !
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Maurizioago Apr 4, 2011 at 1:58 AM

I'm looking forward to visiting Mdina again soon. Ciao!
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cachaseiro Jul 3, 2010 at 9:48 AM

looks very interesting. and really useful tips you put up there.
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MalenaN May 19, 2010 at 10:46 AM

To eat a chocolate cake at Fontanella sonds nice! Too bad you didn't have time to enjoy it!
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balhannah Nov 28, 2009 at 11:18 AM

Excellent page! No wonder this city reminds me of Rhodes.....I'm sure I would enjoy this one as much, and that audio tour is a great idea, one I think I would like better than being with a guide, gives you a chance to linger if you wish.
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LoriPori Oct 7, 2009 at 9:12 AM

Much to see and do here in lovely Mdina. Chocolate cake sounds yummy for the tummy.
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HORSCHECK Sep 23, 2009 at 2:13 PM

Sylvia, fabulous little page about the old capital of Malta. Malta is still one of the very few EU countries I haven't been to.
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TheWanderingCamel Sep 8, 2009 at 7:54 AM

We spent a week in Malta many years ago, Mdina on a wintery Sunday truly was a Silent City - we didn't see another soul on the streets! (we didn't find any chocolate cake) but I thought it a fascinating place. Nice to revisit through your page) leyle
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nhcram Jul 7, 2009 at 5:29 AM

I can vouch for the yummy chocolate cake!!! If you look out across the countryside from Mdian you can see the hospital where I was born.....Mdina is one of my favourite places and I visit every time I am in Malta xx
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VeronicaG Jun 25, 2009 at 12:19 PM

The two museums: Palazzo Falson and that of Natural History would both appeal to my curiousity...I just love museums! The hillside restaurant with the pretty view sounds very inviting, as well! Nice page, Sylvia.