We show you images of what you can see on the short walk through Mdina in Malta. A small place but full of corners with history.
Mdina is a walled city located in the center of Malta. This was the capital until in 1570 it was transferred to Valletta. We are going to take a tour to show you what to see in Mdina, a jewel of Malta.
Mdina, often called The City of Silence, is a small-fortified city located on a hill in central Malta. The city has a long and rich history, dating back to medieval times. Today, Mdina is a popular tourist destination, known for its beautiful architecture and views. Mdina’s earliest fortifications date from around the 7th century, when the city was first built by the Phoenicians.
Despite its small size, Mdina has a lot to offer to tourists. The narrow streets of the city are lined with beautiful buildings, many of which date back hundreds of years. Mdina is also home to numerous museums and galleries.
Did you know? Mdina is inhabited by about 400 people, who are direct descendants of the nobles who were part of the Città Notabile, which is another name by which the city is known.
How to get to Mdina?
From Valletta station, you have to pay attention to Ir-Rabat which appears among the stops. Some of the buses that can be taken from there are 51, 52 and 53.
Mdina is situated on top of a hill in central Malta, making it one of the highest points on the island. The strategic location of the city meant that it was often used as a lookout point in times of war.
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Is Mdina small?
It is a place that is traveled quickly, and it is tiny. It’s so small that you won’t believe it until you see it with your own eyes! That happened to me, they had already told me it was tiny, but I didn’t imagine how small it was, it’s something like going around the block (and not an enormous one).
The thing is that each corner has a great charm and there is also history everywhere, that makes the tour longer.
Discovering Malta’s treasures to discover what to see in Mdina
The walled city gate
When you arrive, the first thing you see is the gate of the walled city, beautiful, with its brown colors, it invites you to enter. Once inside, the first thing you see on the left is the Vilhena Palace, where the natural history museum is located. We didn’t go in because we didn’t have much time for museums, so we kept walking.
Then we went into the tourist office and asked for a map, when they gave it to us, I noticed that the route was one lap, but, I don’t know, at that moment I still didn’t realize how small the place was. The day was gorgeous, a blue sky, a beautiful sun, so it promised good photos.
A walk through the streets of Mdina
Un paseo por las calles de Mdina es como retroceder en el tiempo. Los edificios y callejones tienen siglos de antigüedad y el ambiente es de calma y relajación. Hay muchos lugares para detenerse y disfrutar de las vistas.
There are also several museums located within the city walls, including the museum dedicated to torture called the Mdina Dungeons or the Mdina Experience. Visitors can learn about Maltese history and culture while exploring these places.
Saint Paul’s Cathedral
On the way, we found the Cathedral of Saint Paul. The Mdina Cathedral is one of the most beautiful and historic buildings in Malta. It is located in the heart of Mdina, the ancient capital of Malta.
The cathedral was built in the 17th century and is a fine example of Baroque architecture. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Malta and well worth a visit. Unfortunately, the day we went to Mdina, it was closed.
Around midday, we entered another church that was open, we entered for a moment and hunger began to attack, so we arrived at the first restaurant we saw, we had no illusions, we were in a very touristy place, and we would have to pay the tourist price.
In the end, we did well to go at that time, there was no one, and we were served quickly. By the time we were leaving, the place was packed!
The Carmelite Church
The Carmelite Church, is a beautiful Baroque church that is known for its stunning architecture and impressive artwork.
Built in the 17th century, the church features a grand facade and a central dome. The facade is adorned with intricate carvings, sculptures, and reliefs, including depictions of saints and angels.
One of the highlights of the church is the Chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which features a stunning altarpiece depicting the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus. The chapel is also decorated with frescoes and intricate stucco work.
The sights of Malta
Leaving the restaurant, we reach the viewpoint, in the distance we can see the Egg Church of Mosta. It would be one of the next destinations on the trip to Malta.
And it was there that I realized how small Mdina was, I exclaimed something like “Already?” because from there it only remained to return to the beginning, of course, seeing what was on the road.
But by that time I already knew it would be a short walk.
Still, we made the most of it. Of course, we did not plan to enter any place of payment.
Other places to see in Mdina, Malta
Among the places with fee, these are some of the most interesting, we did not visit them, but if you wonder what to see in Mdina and you are willing to buy tickets, you can consider them:
- Palazzo de Piro: 17th century palace with exhibitions that change over time.
- National Museum of Natural History: it has a geological, paleontological and animal collection of all kinds.
- Mdina dungeons: the history of torture in Malta.
- Palazzo Falson: one of the oldest palaces in Mdina.
- Mdina experience: recreates the history of the city from its origins on video.
After walking, we went to the souvenir shops to buy the usual things: postcards, magnets and some other figurines that caught our eyes. And with the figures of the luzzu that we saw at Marsakloxx present in the store, there was a good chance that we did take something.
Mdina, small but spicy
In conclusion, Mdina is definitely a place worth visiting. With its rich history and beautiful architecture, there is much to delight travelers. So, you know, if you come to Malta in Mdina you have a lot to see. Don’t ignore it for being small, and add it to your travel itinerary.
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