Malta sits in the central Mediterranean Sea, the largest island of the Maltese archipelago between Sicily and the North African coast. It is a fascinating country with a long history related to a succession of rulers including the Romans, Moors, Knights of Saint John, French and British. Many historic sites can be seen including fortresses and underground chambers.
Valletta is the modern capital city, but in this week’s trip around the world I am taking you to the centre of the island to Mdina and Rabat. Sitting on top of a hill overlooking large parts of Malta, Mdina is a fortified medieval town enclosed in bastions, small but rich in history and once served as the island’s capital until the Knights of St John arrived in 1522.
It has a nickname of the Silent City, but this has nothing to do with keeping quiet or ghostly connections, but the fact that when the capital moved to Birgu also known by its title CittĆ Vittoriosa (“Victorious City”) the streets were emptied of people.
Mdina has had different names and titles depending on its rulers and its role but its medieval name describe it best ā āCittaā Notabileā: the noble city. The streets are very narrow and twist and turn so it feels like you are in a maze, but although popular it doesn’t seem busy.
You’ll hear the sound of horses hooves as horse-drawn carriages (karozzin) are used to take tourists around the city.
Surrounded by a ditch that has been turned into a public garden, you can wander around freely and enjoy the view of the age-old bastions from underneath.
Rabat which lies just outside the fortresses walls is a commercial centre and acts as a market to its large agricultural hinterland. It is also well established on the tourist map due to its archaeological and historical sites: The Roman Villa (Domus Romana), catacombs, St. Paulās Grotto and the fine churches and monasteries.
Whilst you are visiting Mdina it makes sense to visit Rabat at the same time. Although we didn’t visit the catacombs of St Paul, I have on my previous visit to the island back in 1978 when I lived in Paceville / St Julian’s for a month. (Now recognised as a ‘party’ district with late night bars and clubs, back then it was a quiet residential area).
Note that you can reach Mdina / Rabat by bus from Valletta.
TRAVEL WORDS 
Reading your beautifully photographed post I ask myself again why we’ve never been. It looks very much my kind of place. Maybe a consideration for the coming winter. Love it, Jude.
It’s definitely an interesting country if you like historical sights and churches. Winter can be wet and cold. September might be nice.
I have to agree with Jo. You make it sound like a wonderful place Jude š
We liked it. We said we’d have to go back, but haven’t so far.
Like Jo and Brian, I’ve never visited, and not even thought of doing so. My loss, obviously.
A nice compact island with more than enough of interest to spend a week there. More to come.
Looking forward to another virtual visit!
Two of the names you mentioned, Rabat and M[e]dina, are found elsewhere in Arabic-speaking countries. Rabat, meaning ‘fortified town’, is the capital of Morocco. Medina, meaning ‘city, jurisdiction, district,’ is found in various places, most notably in Arabia.
Given that the islands are so close to north Africa that doesn’t surprise me.
Malta is very much on my must-go radar and your photos and descriptions emphasise why it should be!
There are a couple more posts to come too. Lots of history, not so much in the way of beaches. If we were to go back we’d probably base ourselves in Valletta.
Neither of us have ever been to Malta, and we have talked about going there in the past. Now we have lost Ollie, it is more likely to happen. I will be applying for a new passport this year, as my old one expired in 2016. Julie wants to go back to Turkey once her knee replacement is done and she has recovered, and Malta might well be the next place we visit. Probably based in Valetta, and taking trips to other places.
Best wishes, Pete. x
Valletta is where I would use as a base. All buses run from there and it’s a city you can walk around. Make the most to travel now Pete, while you have good health.
We have to wait for Julie’s operation date and recovery period, unfortunately. Otherise, I would have happily gone abroad later this year. x
Of course. Health issues do interfere with travel plans. Hopefully Julie doesn’t have to wait too long.
Wonderfully descriptive and equally so your images. UK friends went on a regular basis, and you know how it goes. It was on our list š
I can imagine going there regularly, there’s a lot of interesting places. But equally the world is big and there are lots of places to visit.
I’ve never quite understood people who visit the same place for their annual holiday.
Me neither. Though I suppose if you have a holiday home you can use it as a base to explore a region.
Very true. I wouldn’t say an absolute no to a holiday home in Malta š
Looks wonderful, Iād like to go. I remember mum and dad enjoying a holiday there and that kind of put me off ā¦
That’s a shame. It’s an interesting place.
Still opportunities!
Malta is a place I’ve been interested in for a while and your posts about it really make it sound like a great destination. It would be a good addition to a European itinerary.
Combine it with Sicily and Italy.
Looks like a lovely place to explore. I’m enjoying a bit of armchair-travelling with these posts Jude! š
Armchair travelling is all I do these days, but it’s free and I don’t have the stress of airports!
That lack of airport stress is a huge advantage for me too!