Located in the heart of the island of Malta, Mdina is the largest and the oldest island in the Republic of Malta. Situated atop a hill, this medieval walled town was the old capital of Malta and was first inhabited in 700 BC by the Phoenicians who called it Maleth. The town still exists within its fortified walls, fortifications of which were probably begun by the Phoenicians, but the actual defensive walls were built during the Norman rule in 1091 AD. Due to the fortifications, the town was separated from Rabat, which was its closest town and inhabits most of the locals living in the vicinity of both the towns.

Baroque architecture was used to rebuild some of the buildings when a devastating earthquake took place in 1693 AD. Lorenzo Gafa, a Maltese architect was appointed to reconstruct some of the old structures such as the Palazzo Falson. A new entrance to the town was also constructed 100 meters away from the old gate while the drawbridge was made of stone to enable vehicles to come in, although the number is strictly restricted. The palaces in Mdina have been converted to private homes while the town itself is inhabited by less than three hundred people, which is why the town is still able to retain most of its original beauty.

There is a lot to see in Mdina, both in the form of architecture as well as natural beauty. The majestic St Paul’s Cathedral faces a huge square while the interior of the Cathedral comprises of beautiful murals and marble inlaid floors. The Cathedral Museum houses some great works of art and historical archives that are quite interesting in nature. Architectural wonders from the Middle Ages, the Vilhena Palace and the Iguanez Palace reflect the French architecture of the period. The Gothic style Palazzo Santa Sophia and the Palazzo Falson are also great places of tourist interest.

The Palazzo Falson also known as Norman House is one of the oldest architectural beauties in Mdina dating back to the 1240′s. It was home to Capt Olof Frederick Gollcher, an artist, philanthropist, scholar and a great collector of objets d’art and historical artifacts. After his death in 1962, Palazzo Falson was handed over to the Capt O.F. Gollcher OBE Art and Archaeological Foundation. It was restored to its former glory in 2001 when the Maltese Heritage Foundation signed an agreement with Gollcher Foundation to renovate the Palazzo. It is open to public today, as a museum displaying Gollcher’s priceless collection. On the roof of the building, you will find a traditional Maltese restaurant, where you can savor some great Maltese delicacies as well as enjoy the scenic views of the landscape below.

Other attractions include the Palazzo Gatto Murina, St Agatha’s Chapel, Carmalite Church and Convent, Benedictine Monastery, St Nicholas’ Chapel and the Bastion Square. If you are interested in history then the Natural History Museum is what you would like to visit. If you are seeking some spooky fun, then the Mdina Dungeons is what you should visit, as it has been converted in a horror chamber for tourists to visit for some spine-chilling fun. Due to its strategic location, Mdina also offers some picturesque views of the surrounding landscape. Mdina, experiences Mediterranean climate with hot summer, mild winter with heavy rainfall and a windy spring season.

Photo by Bánfalvi Suzi Natuska provided courtesy of Panoramio.com

Photo by Francisco dos Santos provided courtesy of Panoramio.com

Photo by G Kesmev provided courtesy of Panoramio.com

Tags: Bastion Square, Malta, Mdina, Mediterranean, Norman House, Rabat, Vilhena Palace