Five places to visit in Mdina: Malta´s old capital

The Mdina gate, which served as the location for the popular television show Game of Thrones, has a display of sculptured weapons, lions protecting the entrance, and Grandmaster de Vilhena's crest, which portrays Mdina at the time of autocracy. The ruins of the previous Arab drawbridge gate lie on the right side of Mdina's gate. This gate led to the old city's maze-like entrance.

Three gates that were separated by courtyards made up the city's entryway in the middle ages. However, the city was rebuilt in the 17th century, and the gates were taken down to create room for Palazzo Vilhena. At that time, the medieval defences were rebuilt, and Mdina Gate, a new Baroque gate, was created just only a few meters away from the old one.

According to legend, the church was erected where Publius, a Roman governor, first encountered Paul the Apostle following his shipwreck in Malta. After an earthquake demolished the previous cathedral, the one we can see was rebuilt in the 17th century. Only a few authentic components from the old cathedral were used in the Baroque reconstruction of the new church. Bishops and members of Mdina's noble families who are interred there are remembered by marble tombstones that cover the cathedral's floor.

Between 1726 and 1728, the Banca Giuratale also referred to as the Municipal Palace, was specifically constructed to house the city's administration, council, and courts. As he wanted to construct his palace, which we now refer to as Vilhena Palace, the Grand Master António Manoel de Vilhena had taken over their original property.

As time went on, the Municipal Palace saw a variety of uses. It served as the Maltese National Assembly's meeting location in 1798 when France was still occupying Malta. It now holds the court records from 1530 to 1899 that is a part of the Maltese National Archives.

Also known as The Norman House, Palazzo Falson is the second-oldest and best-preserved structure in Mdina. The building's lovely double windows, which are separated by thin calonettes, date to the fifteenth century. The house, which is now a museum, has 17 rooms and has a collection of things from its many owners over the years.

Its goal is to imitate a homey atmosphere, complete with a study filled with works by well-known artists like Nicolas Poussin, Salvator Rosa, and Edward Lear, and a kitchen where you can view earthenware pots used to make rabbit stew.

Under Grand Master Antonio Manoel de Vilhena, who remodelled most of Mdina in the 18th century, the Archbishop's Square changed. Three prominent structures including the side of the Cathedral, which features a high-level screen that is punctured by a succession of semi-circular headed arches, highlight the rectangular Archbishop's Square.

Along with the opulent façade of the Cathedral Museum, which is designed in the extravagant Southern French architectural style, this area is also home to the austere Bishop's Palace, which Lorenzo Gafà constructed in 1717.

One of the destinations in Malta that you really must see is Mdina. Within the city walls, Mdina's population of 250 people occupies a limited area of 0.9 km2. Mdina has a lot to offer, including its historic past as the first capital of Malta and its magnificent architecture and location.

Do you want to travel to Malta and visit the breathtaking city of Mdina? Then don't hesitate and start planning your trip to paradisiacal Malta now.