Sights of Mdina. Galloping across Europe. When is the season? When is the best time to go

The fortified city of Mdina. When choosing the site for its construction, the Phoenicians were guided, first of all, by the presence of significant reserves of fresh water in underground sources, which made it possible to withstand long-term sieges of the enemy. With the change of owners, the name of the city also changed. The Phoenicians called their main city Malef, the Romans renamed it Melita, Arabs - to Medina, in the Middle Ages, under the Order of Malta, the city received two names at once - Citta Vecchia(“Old Town”) and Citta Notabile(“City of Aristocrats”). High impregnable fortress walls, perfectly preserved to this day, were erected by the Romans at the beginning of the 1st millennium AD. Before the Knights of the Order of John (later the Order of Malta) arrived in Malta, representatives of the local aristocracy settled in Mdina, and ordinary people were forced to live outside the safe limit - in the suburb of Rabat, which over time became a separate city. Rabat today is home to many industrial enterprises in such sectors as energy, metallurgy, etc.

A trip to Mdina involves a relaxing excursion holiday on the quiet, almost silent streets of the city.

Climate and weather

Mdina is located in the Mediterranean climate zone, which is characterized by hot summers, when the air temperature most often stays above +25 ° C, which is quite difficult to bear on the hot streets of the city with very poor vegetation, and mild, warm winters with air temperatures not lower than +10 ° C . The best time of the year to visit Mdina is the warm spring and autumn months.

Nature

Mdina stands on a flat rock surface, which explains the almost complete absence of vegetation on the streets of the city, but at the same time the city of Rabat, separated from Mdina only by territory Howard Gardens, is considered the most picturesque and green city in the entire Maltese archipelago. Gardens Howard were created in 1924, today they are a favorite vacation spot for residents of both cities and tourists.

In close proximity to the fortress walls of Mdina in a fertile valley lies one of Malta's few forested areas, the Gardens Buschetta decorated with a beautiful palace Verdala, the official residence of the President of the country. The flora of the Gardens is represented by hundreds of species of trees (including fruit trees), shrubs and herbs, which envelop Mdina and Rabat with a unique aroma during their spring flowering. Among the plants you can find cypresses, oranges, lemons, olive trees, pine trees and even cacti. In the Gardens Buschetta It is easy to imagine what Malta looked like in earlier times, when it was covered with dense forests, which were subsequently cut down to free up the area for arable land and to obtain wood for the construction of ships. During the period of dominance of the Knights of Malta on the islands, hunting was often organized in the Buschetta Gardens.

Attractions

To get into the city, you need to go through one of three gates: Main, Greek or New. The Greek gate was once used only by slaves, and the New (Western) gate was made in the 30s of the 20th century by the local residents themselves, because this was the closest way to get to the station. After passing through the Main City Gate, you find yourself on the street Villegaignon, along which the main attractions of Mdina are located, as well as numerous souvenir shops and cafes.

There is a watchtower right next to the Main Gate Torre dello Standardo(1750), on which a large fire was lit to warn residents of danger. And a little further on the right side there is a chapel St. Agatha, built in 1417. This saint, like Saint Paul and Saint Publius, is considered the patroness of Mdina. Opposite the chapel there is a beautiful palace Casa Inguanez, belonging to one of the oldest aristocratic families of Malta. The first construction of this palace dates back to 1370, then it was repeatedly completed and rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693 until it became what we can see today. But the largest palace in Mdina is Casa Testaferrata, on the site of which during the time of Ancient Rome there was the Temple of Apollo. There is also a palace here Casa Viani and the house of the Notary Begins, famous for the fact that a French army general was killed in it Masson. It was from this event that the uprising against Napoleon's rule on the island began. The magnificent architectural monuments of Mdina are also Palazzo Falzone(Normandy House), Santa Sofia Palace, Palace Gatto Murino, Palazzo Notabile, Castle Villena etc. The best view is from the square Pizza Tas Sur(Bastion Square) at the end of the street Villegaignon.

The central square of Mdina is St. Paul's Square, where the main attraction of the city and the main religious building of the whole country, St. Paul's Cathedral, is located, built exactly on the spot where the apostle baptized Publius, who served as Roman governor in Malta. Among other sacred architectural monuments of Mdina, one should highlight the Church of the Carmelites, the Church St. Roch, Church St. Nicholas and the Benedictine Convent.

Mdina has the most interesting museums in the country:

• Museum of Natural History (in the building of the Villena Palace), which houses amazing collections of minerals, fossils, mollusk shells, stuffed animals, etc.;
• Museum of Torture, which is a dungeon with cells and passages in which all kinds of medieval torture instruments are installed;
• Museum in Palazzo Falzone, in which numerous examples of medieval painting, engravings, weapons, silverware, furniture, household items, books, etc. are put on public display;
• Museum of the Middle Ages, located in Palazzo Constanzo, which presents scenes of life and everyday life of that time.

Nutrition

Mdina has about 20 cafes and restaurants offering Mediterranean, Greek, European and Indian menus ( Sharma Ethnic Cuisines). The best wine bars in the city are considered Vinum And Don Mesquita, where you can enjoy the wonderful taste of Maltese wines accompanied by traditional European and local dishes. The restaurant is recognized as the most romantic Medina, serving delicious Mediterranean and Italian food. Visitors highly appreciate seafood dishes.

Mdina's delicacies sell the best cakes and pastries in the whole country.

Accommodation

The only hotel in Mdina is a 5-star , located in a building of the 17th century. and offering its clients luxury and deluxe rooms (including two-level ones) costing from 150 to 340 €.

The hotel has a bar, restaurant, sauna, outdoor swimming pool, sun terrace, etc. Cheaper accommodation can be easily found in Rabat (private apartments, guest house Point de Vue, hotel Maple Farm Bed and Breakfast) and in Valletta.

Entertainment and relaxation

The beginning of May in the ancient city is marked by the Medieval Mdina festival, which transports participants and spectators to the era of romantic chivalry, which is so easy to do in the city-museum. Theatrical performances and knightly tournaments are organized on the streets of Mdina. The city is decorated with fresh flowers especially for the holiday.

Gardens Buschetta, located near Mdina, annually at the end of June invite their guests to a festival of agriculture and folklore, the Festival of St. Peter and Paul, which dates back to ancient times, when it was held in Mdina itself. During the holiday, bonfires were lit throughout the city, which is why it got its name Imnarya(from luminaria - “lighting”). Today, during the holiday, performances are held, during which folk songs and folk music are played, dancing is organized and the highlight of the program is the Maltese dinner.

You won't find noisy nightclubs or discos on the streets of Mdina, but some bars and restaurants offer live music, open until late.

Purchases

Mdina is a great place to buy small gifts and souvenirs, including local handicrafts. Most shops are located along the main street of the city , Villegaignon Street. Not far from Mdina there is an old airfield Ta’ Qali, where the Crafts Village is located today. There you can buy unique handicrafts made of silver, stone, ceramics and glass (from Monday to Friday the shops are open from 9:00 to 16:00, on Saturday from 9:00 to 13:00).

The company's products are extremely popular Mdina Glass(Mdina Glass), creating a variety of vases, plates and bowls in all shapes, colors and textures that are both functional and decorative. You will find brand stores Mdina Glass in Valletta, Floriana, Victoria and Mdina itself (in St. Paul's Square). They are open from Monday to Sunday from 9:30 to 19:00. By contacting the company's representatives, you can make an original individual order (lamp shades, double-glazed windows with a pattern, candlesticks, clocks in a variety of shapes, sizes and models, including wall and table clocks, mirrors, stands for papers and pencils and much more).

Transport

You can get to Mdina and Rabat by buses coming from Valletta (route no. 80 and 81) and Sliema (route no. 65), by taxi, rented car or bicycle.

The best way to get around Mdina is on foot, as the streets here are very narrow and the distances are short, but you can rent a horse-drawn carriage (“carozzini”) in Howard Gardens.

Connection

On the territory of the only hotel in Mdina The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux Internet access is provided via free Wi-Fi. You can call abroad from the city using the services of mobile operators, which provide excellent quality of communication throughout the city and its environs, as well as from a few modern street pay phones that work both with magnetic cards and with modern budget IP telephony cards.

Safety

Walking along the streets of Mdina is quite safe, but it can be a little creepy due to the reigning silence on the deserted streets of the city.

But in Rabat and surrounding villages you can easily find suitable property from one-bedroom apartments to luxury country villas.

Mdina acquires a special charm in the light of the night lights, so you should definitely stay in the city until dark so as not to miss the opportunity to admire this beauty.

The Main Gate of Mdina, above which is placed the coat of arms of the Grand Master with an 18th century inscription, is located next to the Old Greek Gate.
The watchtower Torre dello Standarddo stands here, next to the gate. In ancient times, a fire was lit at the top of the tower to notify city residents of danger. This is now a police station.

Immediately behind the Main Gate on the right you can see a staircase going down to one of the most terrible places of the Middle Ages - this is the Dungeon of Mdina or the Museum of Torture. The inscriptions made by the prisoners are still preserved on the walls. In the square in front of the museum, where witches were burned during the Inquisition, the stronghold of which was Malta, there are real medieval neck stocks in which you can take pictures. The Museum displays all kinds of executioner's tools, and wax figures very clearly demonstrate what happened here several centuries ago. These exhibitions make my heart ache. It's not for the faint of heart, but teenagers from all over the world love this museum.

Working hours from 9-00 to 16-00
Entry cost 4 euros.

Nearby is the Church of St. Agatha, patroness of the Maltese Islands. The church was built at the beginning of the 15th century. According to legend, Saint Agatha hid from her pursuers in this place in the 3rd century. BC. during the Roman persecution of the first Christians.
Next to the Church of St. Agatha is the Cassa Inguanetz Palace. The palace was built as the residence of one of Malta's most noble aristocratic families in the 14th century. Amazing interior decoration.
The Cassa Testaferrata Palace, still owned by one of the Maltese families, impresses with its luxury. It was built on the site of the Temple of Apollo.

In the Palazzo Constanzo, built in the 17th century, you can become a spectator of a stunning audio-visual exhibition called “The Middle Ages”, showing scenes from the life and everyday life of medieval Mdina.

Entrance costs 3 euros for adults, 1.5 for children.
Open from 9-30 to 21-30 from Monday to Saturday.

Most of the palaces in Mdina are still owned by the aristocratic families of Malta. The cost of entry to such “palazzos” and “casas” is not fixed; voluntary donations are accepted; many close at 17-00.
Also in Mdina, you can visit the National Museum of Natural History, located in the ancient Palace of Justice (also called the Palace of Master Vilhena). A collection of minerals, stuffed representatives of the flora and fauna of Malta and various fossils are exhibited here.

Entrance fee 1 lira
The museum is open from 9-00 to 16-30.

St. Paul's Cathedral is built on the site where the first bishop of Malta met the Apostle Paul, who came to Mdina after a shipwreck. Since then, Apostle Paul, like Saint Agatha, has been considered the patron saint of the island. There are ancient doors leading into St. Paul's Cathedral, which are 900 years old. The cathedral was built in the 17th century. On the site of an ancient Norman cathedral, destroyed by an earthquake. The new cathedral has preserved many of the interior items of the destroyed one - Flemish frescoes, paintings, engravings and even a font carved from Irish wood. It's beautiful and majestic inside. St. Paul's Cathedral stands in the central square of the city, which bears the same name, St. Paul's Square.

Along Vilegeinon Street you can go to Bastion Square, which offers a breathtaking panorama of the entire island. In the evening, it is very convenient to watch fireworks from here during numerous religious holidays called festas.

City of Rabat

Separating from Mdina in the 9th century. under Arab rule, Rabat is still its suburb, providing a contrast to the Silent City. This is an ordinary Maltese city. Rabat has many cafes, restaurants, many tourists and residents. Today it is one of the largest cities in Malta. The following attractions have been preserved in Rabat:

Roman villa. On the site of an ancient Roman house is the Museum of Ancient and Roman History. The museum has many exhibits dating back to the Roman era, and a wonderfully beautiful Roman mosaic has been preserved.
Entrance 1 lira, open from 9-30 to 16-30.

Here, in Rabat, the Church of St. Paul was built next to the Grotto of St. Paul, in which he found his first refuge after the shipwreck. Here is the famous sculpture of the Saint.
Next to the Grotto there are the Catacombs of St. Paul, where underground burials of people were discovered. Dating back to the 5th century. By the way, now in Malta they do not bury people - they only cremate them, since there is a shortage of land.
To be in Malta and not visit its ancient capital, not climb the fortress walls and not look at the life and life of medieval knights means not learning anything about this island.

Among all the settlements in Malta, it is difficult to find a town as mysterious and unusual as Mdina. This place is known as the "quiet city" and is one of the most popular tourist destinations. All the necessary information about Mdina is posted in our article today.

City `s history

Mdina (Malta) is considered an ancient city, dating back four thousand years. Back in the Bronze Age, the ancestors of the Maltese founded a settlement on the top of a hill, fortified on all sides.

In the 8th century BC. The Phoenicians who ruled Malta founded the city of Malet on the site of present-day Mdina. The fortified Phoenician settlement was captured by the Romans in 218. Since then, Malet began to be called Mameta.

On a note! The newly created Roman city in Malta, according to Titus Livy and Cicero, had a lot of beautiful buildings and was considered a comfortable settlement.

According to local legends, the Apostle Paul himself came to Mdina, whose ship, as you remember, was wrecked off the coast of the island of Malta. It is this saint who is recognized as the person who brought a new religion to Malta - Christianity.

Mdina's troubles began at the end of the 9th century. It was then that the city was destroyed by the troops of the Aghlabid dynasty. Later, the Arabs who took power on the islands worked to restore the fallen Melita, calling the city Medina. Some time later, the new owners changed the structure of the renewed settlement, separating the suburb of Rabat from it.

This is interesting! Rabat began to grow and develop, but Medina, on the contrary, began to empty and go bankrupt. This situation was observed until the middle of the Middle Ages.

From the 14th-15th centuries, Mdina became the residence of the Maltese aristocracy. In the 15th century, the “University” assembly ruled here.

The next stage in the history of the famous Maltese city dates back to 1530. In the 16th century, the Knights of St. John arrived in Malta. The aristocrats from the "University" put forward a condition: they would recognize the new masters of the state only if the knights kept the autonomy of the city intact. Having made such a promise, the Grand Master of the Order of Malta received from the city aristocracy the key to sacred Mdina.

Then Mdina repeatedly changed its status and name. As a rule, these changes coincided with a change in the ruling power on the islands. However, without any doubt, Mdina, both then and now, was considered a real “aristocratic city”.

Description of the city

Mdina (Malta) is one of the most controversial cities in the island state. This settlement is located on the island of Malta in its central part. Very close to Mdina (13 km) is the equally famous city of Valletta.

On a note! Mdina was the capital of Malta until 1530.

Many tourists consider Mdina a museum city. Indeed, it is quite difficult to count all the attractions of the named settlement. It’s hard to believe, but in this quiet and seemingly extinct city there are... local residents. Yes, yes, people live in this “museum”: not many - about 300 people. Local residents have their own privileges. For example, only they are allowed to travel around the city in private cars.

On a note! Near the sacred Mdina lies the city of Rabat, considered a suburb of the former Maltese capital. The problem is that the suburb is several times larger than Mdina itself. However, this fact does not bother the Maltese in any way - Mdina was and remains the main holy city of the Maltese state.

There are no cinemas, noisy nightclubs or other popular entertainment venues in Mdina.

The silent city on a hill is surrounded by impenetrable walls. You can enter the territory of Mdina only through three entrances, which are the city gates. Once here, you can imagine yourself as a resident or guest of medieval Malta. Ancient buildings, narrow streets, lack of traffic congestion, and regular behavior of the people around you will complete the picture of unusual impressions.

On a note! Mdina is the only place in Malta where you can take a mini train journey. This service is provided to everyone by the local company Melita trains. By paying about 5 euros per adult and 3 euros per child, you can comfortably see all the main attractions of Mdina and spend about 30 minutes of your time on everything. You can take this trip every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cars with passengers leave the platform every hour.

Entertainment in Mdina is very limited. All you can afford is sightseeing, going to a restaurant and souvenir shops, as well as a bike ride, which will be limited to 30-40 minutes of a quiet ride around the quiet Maltese city.

On a note! In 1693, a strong earthquake was recorded in Malta, which significantly damaged Mdina. It was the honor of the Knights of the Order of Malta to restore the city.

How to get to Mdina?

You can get to Mdina by buses from Valletta and Sliema.

From the capital to the quiet city there are routes No. 80, 84 and 81.

From the popular Maltese resort - bus number 65.

The journey will take passengers approximately 20 minutes. An alternative to the bus is a taxi, renting a car or renting a bicycle.

Note! A bicycle ride to Mdina may seem difficult for physically unprepared tourists, because... The “silent city” is located on a high hill.

Mdina Hotels

Despite its status as a museum city, Mdina has several hotels that kindly welcome guests from different parts of the world. We will talk about them below.

1. Mellite. Guest house located 100 meters from the famous St. Pavel. The establishment serves breakfast included in the room price, free parking, a shared terrace, dry cleaning, laundry, and luggage storage. In Mellite rooms you will see beautiful antique furniture made of wood, air conditioning, and TV. The described hotel boasts laudatory reviews from tourists who have visited it.
2. Luxury Guard Tower. Apartment hotel located in a picturesque tower just 100 meters from the city's Natural History Museum. The establishment has free parking, rooms with a kitchen, bathroom, living area and wooden furniture. Travelers staying at Luxure Guard Tower praise the cleanliness of the hotel and its close location to the city's main attractions.
3. Xara Palace Relais. A five-star hotel located in a beautiful city building dating back to the 17th century. Here, hotel guests can use the services of parking (free), library, fitness center, sauna, restaurant and bar, laundry (for a fee), sun terrace, concierge services, newspaper delivery, car and bicycle rental (for a fee), etc. Xara rooms Palace Relais are distinguished by their exclusive design. In the rooms, guests will see luxurious antique furniture, DVD and CD players, air conditioning, and will have use of their own bathroom. If you want to spend your time in comfort, then book rooms at Mdina's only five-star hotel.

Sights of Mdina

The tiny size of the iconic Maltese city did not become an obstacle to the abundance of city attractions. We reviewed the top 20 most interesting objects in Mdina below.

Municipal Palace

One of the most famous attractions of Mdina was built in 1726-1728. Another name for this palazzo is Banca Giuratale. Its construction was a necessary measure, because in the 20s of the 18th century, the main residence of the city council members was confiscated by Master Antoine Manuel de Vilena. The architect of the municipal palace was the Frenchman Charles Francois de Mondion. It was he who built most of the houses in the Maltese city. After construction, the palazzo became not only the meeting place of the city council, but the city court also functioned here. The named attraction was built in the Baroque style. Its main entrance is decorated with two columns on which the second floor balcony is located. The cornice of the municipal palace is decorated with the heraldic symbols of the city and the magistrate of Villena.

On a note! The image of the Bank of Giuratale was on the two lira banknote that was in circulation in Malta from 1989 to 2007.

Shara Palace

One of the most popular establishments in Mdina is the Shara Palace. And all thanks to the fact that it houses the most fashionable hotel in the city, Xara Palace Relais. The palazzo building was built next to the city wall at the end of the 17th century. The Chara Palace was the residence of the Maltese nobleman Moscati Parisno. Quite a few elements of the ancient building have survived to this day: a door made of wood in the 18th century, olive trees that have been growing in the palace for two hundred years, etc. During the Second World War, the described landmark was turned into a dining room. The hotel in the building was opened in 1949. Almost 50 years later, in 1996, Zammit Tabon decided to return the palace to its original appearance. The plan to restore the site was implemented over three years. Today the Xara Palace (i.e. the Xara Palace Relais) has 17 rooms of varying levels of comfort.

Palace Cassa Testaferrata

One of the most luxurious palaces in Mdina was built on the site of the Temple of Apollo. Cassa Testaferrata is the largest palace in Mdina, so a visit is a must. Tourists who have visited the attraction admire the luxury and richness of its interior.

On a note! According to local legend, the French governor was thrown from the balcony of Cassa Testaferrata. As you guessed, these actions took place during the rebellion of the Maltese against the power of Napoleon.

Archbishop's Palace

The next historical site in Mdina is called the Archbishop's Palace. This building is located next to the city's cathedral. The current palace was built on the site of a former palazzo built in the 14th century. The renovated Archbishop's Palace appeared in the 18th century.

This is interesting! The described landmark of the city became the residence of the Bishop of Malta in 1722. Moreover, the archbishop appeared in the state only in 1944.

Palace of Santa Sofia

The unique building of the medieval Santa Sofia Palace is located on the central street of the city called Vilguenon Street. The historical site of Mdina was built in the Romanesque style. His appearance can hardly be called ordinary. When you arrive in Mdina, do not deny yourself the pleasure of meeting a striking representative of the city's palace architecture.

This is interesting! The first floor of the attraction was built back in 1233, as evidenced by the inscription on one of the windows of the palace. The top floor appeared more than seven centuries later, in 1938.

Palace of Constanzo

The next Maltese palazzo was built in Mdina in the 17th century. Finding the palace is not difficult - it is located on the central city street. In addition to the aesthetic pleasure from the appearance of the attraction, tourists are invited to get acquainted with its educational content. The fact is that inside the Palazzo Constanzo there is an educational audio-visual exhibition “The Past of Malta”, which will tell its viewers about the famous past of the most aristocratic city of Malta.

Falzon Palace

This building has several names: Casa dei Castelletti, Norman House, Falzon Palace and Palazzo Cumbo Navarre. The exact date of construction of the attraction is lost. According to scientists, the object was built in the period from 1495 to the middle of the 16th century. The palace is a two-story building equipped with a courtyard. The windows of the palazzo have an arched shape, the floors are divided by a cornice consisting of two levels. There are no prominent decorations on the facades of Falzon. Today, anyone can visit the described palace. Inside the attraction there is a historical museum where you can see collections of weapons, paintings, dishes, antique furniture, etc.

Catacombs of St. Pavel

Cathedral of St. Pavel

The most important building in Mdina is the city cathedral, named and illuminated in honor of the Apostle Paul. The place where the cathedral stands is shrouded in a network of legends and secrets. According to historical reports, the temple of the apostle is the fourth building on this site. The first to be built was the villa of Publius, a Roman who became the first bishop of Malta. By the way, it was with him that the apostle stayed after the shipwreck. In the 4th century, a modest church was erected on the site of the villa, followed by a large temple, which appeared thanks to the decree of Roger of Normandy. It was a strong building that could stand for several centuries, but the earthquake of 1693 did not spare it. In the place where the medieval temple stood, only one altar remained, around which the construction of the current Mdina Cathedral began. Today we can see in the silent city a majestic structure, the architecture of which is dominated by the Baroque style. The building has two towers on which dials are located. One of them shows the time, the other shows the day and month of the current year. The dome of the object was repeatedly decorated with various decorations. Today it houses frescoes restored in the 50s of the last century. Inside the building there are unique and very valuable relics. For example, an ancient painting painted by Mattia Preti and transferred to the rebuilt cathedral from the old temple. Visitors to the attraction will also see a 15th-century painting depicting the Virgin Mary with a baby in her arms.

This is interesting! When the builders were dismantling the foundation of the destroyed temple, they found a treasure trove of coins. For this money the current Mdina Cathedral was built.

Corte Capitanale

The next architectural and historical landmark of Mdina in the past served the city as the district court building. Today this site is known as the Corte Capitanale, or city hall. Its appearance in the former capital of Malta dates back to 1728. The outstanding French architect Charles Francois de Mondion worked on the creation of the construction project. The attraction was built in the luxurious French Baroque style. The Villena Palace (written about above) was also built together with Corte Capitanale. Both buildings are adjacent to each other. The façade of the building is decorated with remarkable pilasters. On the balcony located above the main entrance to the building there are allegorical figures of Mercy and Justice. In addition, Corte Capitanale has dungeons built in the 16th century. In the past they were used as dungeons. The district court operated in the building until 1818. Today the building has been given the status of a city hall. It is closed to the public, but sometimes, during various exhibitions, visitors are allowed into the main hall.

Carmelite Church and Monastery

Mdina amazes its guests with an abundance of religious institutions: cathedrals, churches, monasteries and chapels. One of the most charming buildings of this type is the Carmelite church and monastery. You will find more detailed information about these objects in the article.

Chapel of St. Agates

This building has great historical value, because... was built in 1410. It is located next to the city gates, and was erected at the expense of the Maltese nobleman Francesco Gatta and his wife Donna Paola Castelli. In 1693, the chapel was badly damaged by an earthquake, but was nevertheless successfully reconstructed by the architect Lorenzo Gafa the following year. The renovated building of the attraction opened in 1696. Saint Agatha in Malta is considered the patroness of the archipelago. According to historical data, she visited the islands in 249.

This is interesting! According to legend, Saint Agatha helped the Maltese survive the Ottoman siege in 1551. Here's how it happened. A nun from the Abbey of Santa Scholastica told the vicar that she had a vision of St. Agatha. She ordered all the residents of Mdina to walk with her image along the walls of the bastions so that the enemies would see this action. The Turks, who noticed a large number of local residents and defenders of the city, got scared and lifted their siege from the Mdina fortress.

Torre dello Standardo

In the past, this object was part of the fortification of the great Mdina. The famous tower was erected in 1725 according to the design of the French architect Charles Francois de Mondion. At the same time, the main city gate was redesigned in Baroque style. Until the 18th century, another tower stood on the site of Torre dello Standardo - Torre Mastra. It was damaged by the earthquake of 1693. Like other towers, Torre dello Standardo served to transmit signals between the cities of the island. In the 19th century, the landmark began to serve as a home for the porters and sanatorium employees who worked in the Vigliona Palace. In 1888, Torre dello Standardo became a telegraph office, then a police station. Today the tower houses a tourist center, where city guests can pick up maps and advertising brochures with a schedule of city events and other useful information.

City Gate

Mdina can be reached through three entrances: City Gate, New City Gate and Greek Gate. The main gate of the city is the City Gate, which is often called the Villena Gate. They appeared in Mdina in 1724. The development of their project was carried out by the architect from France, already known to us, Charles Francois de Mondion. The construction of the landmark was paid for by Antoine Manuel de Villena, Grand Master of the Order of Malta. On the external facade of the object, attentive tourists will notice its heraldic sign. The construction of this facility was associated with the appearance of the Villena residence. The new building “moved” the entrance gates and also changed the appearance of some fortifications. In 2008, the City Gate was reconstructed. Today this site is a popular attraction in Mdina.

On a note! The main gate of the city was filmed in the famous TV series “Game of Thrones” (episode 3 of the first season). You will see them on the screen as part of Lord Snow's castle.

Greek gate

In the southwestern part of Mdina there is another gate, called the Greek gate. They were built back in the Middle Ages, but in 1724 the same Frenchman Charles Francois de Mondion reconstructed the gates, decorating them in the Baroque style. The architect changed the external façade of the landmark, keeping the internal appearance virtually unchanged.

On a note! From the very beginning, only slaves used the Greek gates. Gentlemen and other noble nobles of Mdina always passed through the City Gate.

In 2003, the Greek Gate underwent restoration. This event was repeated in 2015. Nowadays, through the gate described above, cars of the local population enter the city. We remind you: cars are not allowed to enter Mdina. A tourist who wants to visit the ancient capital of Malta must leave his car in Rabat and then move on foot.

Bastion Square

If you want to enjoy the picturesque views of Malta, then go to Bastion Square, which offers a stunning view of the northern part of the island, St. Paul and the geological fault that runs through the entire island. Due to its location, Bastion Square is a popular spot for photography. In the past, on the territory of the attraction there was an ancient temple dedicated to Prosperina, the underground goddess, daughter of Demeter and Zeus.

Torture Museum

Perhaps the most terrifying institution not only in Mdina, but throughout the entire state, is the torture museum, which operates in the city’s dungeons. If you are not afraid to find out what the ancient dungeon hides in its cells, and what horrors await you when you get to know this place, then read our article, or even better, go on a trip to Malta with a mandatory visit to its ancient capital.

Knights of Malta Museum

Another interesting museum in Mdina, which you can read about in the already familiar article about.

National Museum of Natural History

One of the most educational museums in the country operates in the Palace of Justice in the city of Mdina. The establishment opened in 1973. The museum's collections will tell its guests about geology, human evolution, paleontology, flora and fauna of Malta. The establishment is divided into halls of various themes. For example, the museum has a hall of birds from the Maltese cliff, the ecosystems of the small islands of the state (Comino, Filfa, Mushroom Rock, etc.), skeletal anatomy of vertebrates, etc. Entrance to the museum is relatively inexpensive. The most expensive ticket will cost a tourist 5 euros. Discounts are provided for many categories of citizens, and children under 5 years old can view the exhibits of the establishment absolutely free.

Show-museum “Life Path of Mdina”

Of particular interest to tourists is the video frame located in the ancient building of the city on Mesquite Square. Here, guests of Mdina will enjoy a colorful audio-visual show, introducing its viewers to the interesting history of the former capital of the island state. There is really something to see inside the establishment, because historians attribute the age of four thousand years to the majestic Mdina. The show itself lasts 25 minutes. High-quality sound and excellent equipment do their job perfectly. Guests of the show museum will learn about the prehistoric past of the city, the wreck of the ship of the Apostle Paul, the systematic change of rulers, the earthquake of 1693, the appearance of the Knights of St. John in the city, etc. The creators of the video frame made sure that each guest could hear a fascinating story in their native language. The museum's audio guide offers a choice of 13 language programs, including voiceover and Russian.

An incredible experience awaits tourists who choose the Malta-Mdina direction for their vacation. The former capital of the island state can surprise with its austerity and silence, but upon closer acquaintance, Mdina reveals to its guests a lot of unexpected secrets that will remain in your memory forever.

We talked about the museums we visited in the old capital in previous articles. A couple of articles will be about the sights of Malta - Mdina is the subject of this story, Valletta is the subject of the next one. It turned out that we traveled relative to our place of stay on a city bus in three directions, not very different in distance from each other.

St Julian's - Mdina

For some reason, the road to Mdina seemed the most painful - tedious and long. It's boring - because of the pouring rain, sometimes the incessant drizzle - you can't see anything through the glass.

And it’s long - because “there’s a plug in every barrel” - this is the most truthful statement about this route. The green arrow on the diagram shows the direction from the hotel to Mdina. And if I say that for the first half hour or so the bus drove along the coast, I think you will be surprised along with me.

In general, before the trip I thought that Malta was a city-state. Almost. But it turned out that it consists of all sorts of Slim, Gzir, Santa Vener, Birkikar, Khamrunov, Msid, Piet - 68 in total! - just dizzy! Therefore, I stopped trying to determine the location and simply admired the mini-mansions.

Of course, different areas have different types of development. But most of the buildings are still low-rise. In some places, as in the photo above, they are located quite autonomously, in others they are stuck in barrels to each other according to the principle “in close quarters, but not in offence.”

Like everywhere else in Europe, Malta has many roundabouts. Along the way we even came across especially decorated ones.

The greatest impression was made by the Mosta Rotunda, the Roman Catholic parish church of the Assumption of St. Mary. First of all, the size. The second time, when I learned her story, with holiness. Or prayer, I don’t know which is more correct. It turns out that in April 1942, right during the service, the dome of the church was pierced by a bomb dropped by a German bomber. And it didn't explode! This incident began to be called “Mustafa’s miracle.”

And another interesting fact: “the rotunda was built around a pre-existing one and church services were held in the old building during construction. Only after the completion of the rotunda was the old building destroyed inside the new one. It would definitely be worth a visit if we were on our own. But we are going to goals "sights of Malta - Mdina".

Cities smoothly flow into one another. It seems as if they, like the elements of a nesting doll, are located one inside the other.

So, I accidentally saw the sign "Mosta". And so - Malta and Malta.

The trip, planned as 40 minutes in accordance with Google's promises, had already grown into more than an hour, and there was no end in sight. Therefore, I greeted Andrey’s proposal to get off at the stop near the former Ta-Kali airfield with enthusiasm.

Having received “technical” pleasure, we finally took the next bus to Mdina.

First impressions

There were two of them - from horse-drawn carriages "carozzini", in which every first driver certainly wanted to seat us.

And from the sandy color of the fortress walls. This is the first thing we saw when we got off the bus. This monumental gate (Main Gate) was erected in 1724.

Once inside, we fell for the invitation of the peasant on the poster to visit. This is probably where the first impressions ended. They were replaced by new ones that pushed them aside and piled on top of each other.

Briefly about the city

"Mdina" is translated as "city of the nobility" from Phoenician. It was the Phoenicians who founded a fortress around one of the settlements around 800 BC, deciding that this was a suitable place. Once upon a time this place was also called “Malet” - a protected place. Having conquered Malta in 870, the Arabs surrounded the city with an even higher wall, calling it “Medina” - “surrounded by walls”. Previously, Mdina and Rabat formed a single city (“rabat” in Arabic is a suburb). But, having arrived here in 1070, the Normans surrounded Mdina with fortifications, expanded the ditch around the fortress and separated it from Rabat.

De Redin Bastion

Look at "it was - it became." What was the area of ​​Mdina + Rabat (24 + 37), and what was only Mdina (24). It is not for nothing that it is called the “silent city” - according to Wikipedia, just over three hundred people live in it on an area of ​​approximately 1 square km. In Rabat - 11,000. Among the famous names there is also “Citta Notabile” - “noble city”.

I note that, most likely, these three hundred people are entirely from knightly families, descendants of the Norman, Sicilian, and Spanish rulers who have ruled the country since the 12th century. According to rumors, some family of some Inguanese has lived here for more than six centuries. There is no doubt that only the noble families of Malta live in such palaces.

The palaces stand leaning against each other. It’s even strange that, like palaces, they don’t have a “palace territory”. Greens only in tubs and in very limited quantities. Although I fully admit that the territories are hidden from prying eyes and are located on the other side of the street.

We met only a couple with walls covered in greenery. By the way, in Spain this is a common thing.

I couldn’t stop marveling at the strangeness of the building - well, it’s cramped! Did the Maltese nobility really not want scope? Of course, I understand, asceticism and all that, but... Until now, I have only come across such streets in Venice.

There are even exotic specimens.

But, given the local “open spaces”, there are not many cars. Well, it’s really not possible to separate!

Why was the fortified city built here? Mdina is extremely well strategically located. It is located a considerable distance from the sea and is located on a hill. This is the panorama that opens with "Triq Is Sur".

The most famous milestones in the history of Malta are its existence during the reign of the Knights Hospitaller Order of St. John, the shipwreck of St. Paul near these islands, the earthquake that destroyed half of Mdina with the subsequent restoration of the city. This was the impression I got after visiting the local attractions.

Keep in mind that if you have enough time to explore the sights of this small town, it is better to take a comprehensive ticket for the tour - 2 museums and catacombs will cost only 13 euros.

In general, everything seems to be about the city. Now let's go through the most significant buildings.

Attractions include significant architectural structures and simply what Mdina is now associated with.

National Museum of Natural History

This is the huge palace “Palazzo de Villena”, formerly “Palazzo Giuratale” - the house where the first Grand Master of Malta lived, Philip Vilier de L'Il Adama, unlike others, even with a courtyard.

• In ancient “Byzantine” times, there was a fort on this site, then the castle “Castella di la Shitati”.
• During the earthquake of 1693, the walls of the castle were severely destroyed, they were restored gradually.
• At the end of the 19th century, part of the premises was used as barracks, and the entire building was used as a hospital.
• Edward VII opened the Connaught tuberculosis hospital here at the beginning of the 20th century.
• The National Museum has been housed in this palace since 1973.

Natural History Museum - probably contains specimens of minerals, plants and animals. We looked in, but, imagining how much time it would take to examine this giant, we didn’t go. Included in one of the points of the complex ticket.

Let me remind you that in the basement of the palace there is a Museum of Torture.

Torre dello Standardo

The Torre dello Standardo is located opposite the National Museum, just outside the Main City Gate.

• Built in 1725 by a French architect in the Baroque style, the tower, like the gate, was part of the fortifications of Mdina. Served to transmit signals between regions of Malta.
• In the Middle Ages, the tower of Torre Mastra, also known as Torre de la Bandiera, stood on this site, destroyed by the earthquake of 1693.
• At the end of the 19th century there was a telegraph office here.
• At the time when the hospital was located in the Villena Palace (see paragraph 1), hospital employees lived in the tower.
• Then, right up to modern times, until the beginning of the 21st century, there was a police station in the building.
• The image of a tower with a gate was on the 5-lire banknote from 1989 to 2007.

Now the tower is used as a tourist information center; here you can pick up a map of the city and useful booklets.

St. Paul's Cathedral

In front of the Cathedral of St. Paul is St. Paul's Square, surrounded by Mdina palaces. Their architecture varies from laconic-minimalistic to luxuriously majestic.

I don’t know if this is the palace of one of the descendants of the Maltese nobility or a municipal building (the one on the left) - I couldn’t find information anywhere on the Internet about what kind of building it is, but being next to the Cathedral, it looks almost more elegant than the cathedral itself .

You can see the cathedral by purchasing tickets at the house opposite - the Cathedral Museum.

We first examined the museum's exhibition, then went to admire the decoration of the cathedral.

And there was something to admire. I just wanted to be there, to “hang out” for a while, detached from the outside world. It seemed like the atmosphere there was calming and even meditative.

The atmosphere is unusual. And the energy is strange. I was especially impressed by the tombstones on the floor. When you think that you are walking on bones, it becomes creepy.

Church of St. Roque, also known as the Church of Our Lady of Light (St. Roque's Chapel, Our Lady of Light)

Walking a little to the side, behind a souvenir shop with real “golds” (about them at the end of the story), we saw a small church, it seemed.

In reality, it turned out to be not so small - a huge oval dome, frescoes, stained glass windows - the external impression deceived us.

The Chapel of the Holy Cross was located on this site back in the 14th century. It stood for three hundred years, was demolished, it is unknown for what reasons. It would be fine if the cause was the same earthquake - but no. This church dedicated to Saint Roque was built in the 18th century. Due to the fact that there was an icon depicting the Mother of God of Light in the church, the church began to be called that.

The walls are red marble, stucco moldings in blue tones - the church has an impressive appearance.

And this cherub face reminded me of the temple in Klimentovsky Lane in Moscow.

Palace of Santa Sofia

This palace (left) is the oldest surviving one in Mdina. Somewhere above its first floor the date of construction is indicated - 1233. The building was periodically rented to a Roman Catholic monastic school.
The second floor with four decorative Venetian windows was completed in the 20th century - it’s amazing how organically it fits in.

The palace is included in the National Register of Cultural Properties of Malta.

The Carmelite Church And Priory

Behind the Hagia Sophia Palace you can see on the corner of the house a snow-white statue of the Virgin and Child. This is the Statue of the Madonna of Mount Carmel. The Carmelites have always revered the Mother of God as their patroness, even the entire order was called that way - “The Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.”
That building, on the corner of which there is a statue of the Madonna, is the Carmelite monastery.

This monastery is accessible to visitors. True, only the first floor and the courtyard. They are not allowed on the second and third floors. There is a museum at the monastery - a recent one, opened only in 2008, there is a cafe and a shop with Maltese products and souvenirs. You can rent weapons and knightly armor.
The 2nd floor of the monastery is occupied by the Institute of Theology. 3rd - monastic cells. In fact, I don’t know if Catholic monks actually live in cells, but it seems to go without saying.

On Sundays, the museum hosts concerts. Monday is a day off. There seems to be an entrance fee. We didn't even try to get in. Traffic...

Yes, interesting fact. The Carmelite Church can be seen as a symbol of patriotism - when French soldiers, in a fit of looting, were about to remove the shrine from the walls, one of the nuns, climbing the bell tower, sounded the alarm. Residents of the city came running to hear the alarm bell, and thus began the uprising and expulsion of the invaders in 1790.

Palazzo Falson, also known as the Norman House

Since 2007, the Palazzo Falson Hotel (on the right in the photo) has housed a House Museum with antique collections and household items of the Maltese nobility. Weapons, paintings, silver, ceramics, furniture. There are about eighty oriental carpets alone!
There is a similar house museum in Valletta. Unfortunately, we did not visit either one or the other.

From the name it is clear that this is a palace of the Norman period, in which the noble Falson family lived (by analogy with the Villena Palace). It is the second oldest building in Mdina after Hagia Sophia. Some fragments of the building have survived from the 13th century, the main part was built in 1495. In the 16th century the building was expanded. Now, since 1925, the house is included in the list of antiquities and is included in the National Register of Cultural Property of Malta.

In appearance, the Falson Palace is very similar to the Hagia Sophia Palace - the same cornice at the roof level of the first floor, the same vaulted Venetian windows on the second.

Plaza Tas Sur

This area is located “at the edge of the earth,” in this case, the city. In the previous photo between the houses, exactly a piece of it is captured. And the panorama of Malta was taken from there.

The square is surrounded along the perimeter by remarkable buildings.

There appears to be a fountain in the middle. Since we were there in February, we can only guess.

In every house there are souvenir shops and cafes. Many palaces these days house hotels, hopefully cozy ones.

Video frame "Mdina Experience"

On a nearby street in one of the palaces (located on Mesquita Square) they show “The Life Path of Mdina” - a 25-minute audio-visual show. I think it's something similar to what we saw in .
In the basement where the knights gathered to rest, in the appropriate atmosphere there is an opportunity to feel the breath of centuries.

Shows the main milestones of the three hundred thousand year history of the city. The story is told from the perspective of the city walls. The audio guide is available in 13 languages, including Russian.

Shops and eateries

It makes no sense to talk about souvenir shops, especially since we didn’t really look into them in Mdina. Even behind magnets. I'll tell you about unusual ones.

The 385 gold rings with the Maltese cross struck the imagination. I imagined them on someone’s hand, for example, in Moscow. It would look strange - an ambiguous souvenir.

With Maltese glass it is much easier - it is of the same type as, say, Murano glass. A much more understandable gift.

I felt hungry only when I saw a sign inviting me to try a “Maltese plate for 15 euros.” We decided to take advantage of the offer and go to the Maltese restaurant “Don Mesquita” - it’s authentic.
It turned out to be very good, although not very filling. A Maltese plate includes a couple of pates, local cheese, olives, capers, and herbs.

Sights of Malta - Mdina - streets

Undoubtedly, the streets of Mdina are a special attraction. Their labyrinths and emptiness made us briefly feel like we were the only people who might have traveled through time. We even wandered a little, despite Andreev’s topographical sense. This is something amazing - narrow, cramped and deserted. See for yourself.

The sights of Mdina are represented mainly by ancient architectural monuments. This city was once the capital of Malta. Since those times, the grandeur and special atmosphere reigning here have been preserved. In general, the architectural sights of Mdina can be seen at almost every step. The fact is that the city has preserved medieval streets. Walking along them, you can see ancient buildings that have survived to this day almost in their original form.

In addition, tourists visit the medieval fortifications of the city - today these are very popular attractions in Mdina. These include the main gate leading to the Old Town, the Greek gate, as well as the fortress walls. Having taken a photo while visiting this attraction of Mdina, tourists capture on camera not only the fortifications themselves, but also the view of the city that opens from above. Climbing the stairs up to the walls, you can see a wonderful panorama.

When going on excursions, it is worth including in the route such sights of Mdina as the Cathedral of St. Paul, built in the 16th century, and the necropolises in the catacombs of St. Agatha. Medieval buildings preserve the memory of those times when fierce battles and sieges took place on the island. Using the guidebook, you can read the history of memorable places and revive in your imagination the events of past eras.

Mdina's museum attractions are also popular among tourists. The museums contain unique exhibits related to the history of the city and Malta, as well as works of art by local authors.

Usually, walks through memorable places are fascinating, so tourists try to plan excursions in advance in order to meet the scheduled time. A map of Mdina attractions from Arrivo will help you navigate the city.