Mdina aka The Silent City, is the island's most hauntingly beautiful city. One of Europe's finest examples of a walled city it is an extraordinary mix of medieval and Baroque architecture with a history that dates back over 4000 years.
Mdina and its immediate neighbour Rabat were once the same settlement but during the Arab occupation Mdina was walled off and made into a fortress city.
From its elevated position Mdina rises above central Malta and its magnificent cathedral dominates the skyline. Its honey-coloured buildings and shady, meandering streets radiate calm and seem to soak up the sounds of daily life.
It appears as if time has not been able to penetrate the city's looming bastions and the tiny city remains as it has done for centuries. Although it is inhabited there are barely any cars in the city as only residents are allowed vehicles inside the city walls. There are some elegant palaces in Mdina which are still home to ancient Maltese families.
There are many wonderful sights to see in Mdina and it is well worth taking advantage of one of the numerous audiovisual attractions that are available. They give a good whistle-stop introduction to the city's history and are a good way to start your exploration of Mdina.
Noteworthy sights include the imposing cathedral, designed by one of Malta's most celebrated architects Lorenzo Gafa, and Palazzo Falzon, otherwise known as Norman House.
By day the entire city is mesmerising with its incredible views, sense of culture and history, and enchanting architecture; at night it becomes magical as a hush descend over the lamp-lit streets and, according to legend, the ghosts of Mdina's past wander the ancient city.
