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 Città 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 – ‘Citta’ Notabile’: 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. Paul’s 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.
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