Mdina’s Main City GateMdina 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.
It was home then, as now, to Malta’s noble families; some are descendants of the Norman, Sicilian and Spanish overlords who made Mdina their home from the 12th century onwards. Impressive palaces line its narrow, shady streets.
Mdina is one of Europe’s finest examples of an ancient walled city and extraordinary in its mix of medieval and baroque architecture.
As the capital, Mdina was the seat of power of the ecclesiastical, military and civil authorities of medieval Malta. It was – and still is – the home of the oldest families in Malta.
For many years it was known as the Silent City because its narrow streets were unsuitable for traffic and its use was purely residential. The streets were built deliberately narrow and angled for cooling reasons. The tall stone buildings cast cooling shadows on each other in the hot summer.
Mdina is one of the world’s finest examples of a medieval walled city that is still inhabited. And this is the view of Malta from the walls of Mdina. Apparently we can see 75% of the island from that spot:
Sources: http://www.visitmalta.com/ and Malta, Insight Guide. Ed. Rebecca Lovell
Sliczna architektura !!!
Your pictures are stunning!