Mdina

Founding and First Mentions

The history of Mdina is rooted in antiquity, spanning more than 4,000 years. The first traces of human presence on this strategically important plateau date back to the Bronze Age. Around the 8th century BC, the Phoenicians founded a fortified settlement here, naming it Maleth, which means "refuge" or "protected place."

During the Roman period, the city was renamed Melite and reached its peak, occupying a much larger territory than it does today. According to tradition, it was here that the residence of the Roman governor Publius was located, who received the Apostle Paul after his famous shipwreck off the coast of Malta.

Key Factors of Formation

Mdina's transformation into the island's main city was due to several important reasons:

• Geography and Defense: The city is situated on one of the highest hills in the center of the island. This position provided natural protection and allowed for control over all approaches, making it possible to spot enemy ships in time.
• Political Status: Until the arrival of the Knights Hospitaller and the construction of Valletta, Mdina remained the permanent capital of Malta and the administrative center where the local assembly—the "Università"—met.
• Transformation of Boundaries: During the period of Arab rule (from the 9th century), the city's territory was reduced for better defense, separated from the suburb (Rabat) by a deep moat, and received its current name—Mdina (from the Arabic for "city").

Early Cultural and Economic Characteristics

In the Middle Ages, Mdina earned the title of Città Notabile — "The Noble City." This name accurately reflected the social and cultural character of the ancient capital:

• A Bastion of Aristocracy: Unlike the port cities that thrived on trade, Mdina was home to the Norman, Sicilian, and Spanish nobility. Grand palazzos were built here, and the economy relied on land ownership.
• Religious Center: The city has historically been the residence of the Bishop and the spiritual heart of the archipelago, which encouraged the construction of magnificent churches and monasteries.

Chronology of Key Events

• 8th century BC — Phoenicians found the fortified settlement of Maleth, meaning "refuge," on the hill.
• 218 BC — Malta comes under the rule of the Roman Republic, and the city is named Melite.
• 60 AD — According to tradition, the Apostle Paul is shipwrecked off the island's coast and preaches Christianity in the city.
• 870 — Arabs capture the island, reduce the city's area for better defense, separate it with a moat from the suburb, and name it Mdina.
• 1091 — Norman Count Roger I liberates Malta, returning the city to the sphere of European influence.
• 1428 — King Alfonso V of Aragon grants Mdina the honorary title of Città Notabile ("The Noble City") and the right to self-government.
• 1530 — The Knights Hospitaller arrive in Malta and move the capital to Birgu, depriving Mdina of its political primacy.
• 1693 — A devastating earthquake in Sicily causes serious damage to Mdina's buildings, including the old Norman cathedral.
• 1702 — Construction of the new St. Paul's Cathedral, designed by architect Lorenzo Gafà, is completed.
• 1720s — Grand Master António Manoel de Vilhena initiates a large-scale Baroque rebuilding of the city, including the construction of the palace and the main gate.
• 1798 — Residents of Mdina rise up against the French garrison of Napoleon's troops, driving the occupiers from the fortress walls.
• Early 19th century — With the arrival of the British, the city finally transforms into a quiet residence for the aristocracy, earning the nickname "The Silent City."

Key Milestones in the City's Development

Mdina's development is the story of a strategic fortress transforming into a preserved monument of aristocratic culture. Here are the main stages that defined the city's modern economic and architectural appearance:

• Arab urbanization and boundary reduction (9th–11th centuries):

  The new rulers fundamentally changed the urban plan. They separated the citadel from the suburb (Rabat) with a deep moat and powerful walls. This decision turned the city into an impregnable, compact fort but limited its future physical expansion, preserving its medieval street layout.

• Establishment of the "Università" (Middle Ages):

  The creation of a local self-governing body (Università) consolidated Mdina's status as an administrative center. This led to a concentration of Malta's wealthiest families here. The city's economy became based not on trade, as in the ports, but on the income of landowners, which led to the construction of luxury private palaces rather than warehouses or shops.

• Loss of capital status (1530):

  The relocation of the capital by the Knights Hospitaller to the sea (to Birgu, and later to Valletta) was a turning point. Mdina escaped the chaotic development and industrialization typical of port cities. Paradoxically, the loss of political power saved the city's historical appearance, turning it into a quiet residence for the nobility and clergy.

• De Vilhena's Baroque reconstruction (18th century):

  After the earthquake of 1693, Grand Master António Manoel de Vilhena launched a large-scale renovation project. The city received a unified architectural ensemble in the Baroque style: a new Main Gate, the Magisterial Palace, and the Municipality building were constructed. This transformed the austere medieval fortress into an elegant European museum-city.

• Museumification and "The Silent City" status (20th century):

  In the modern era, authorities made the strategic decision to restrict motor vehicle access and the development of commercial infrastructure within the walls. This finally shaped Mdina's tourism brand as the "Silent City," where the economy fully shifted towards cultural tourism and heritage preservation.

Urban Layout and Street Network

The architectural character of Mdina is a unique blend of medieval urban planning and lavish Baroque buildings. The city's street network has remained virtually unchanged since the time of Arab rule and the early Middle Ages. It is characterized by:

• Winding streets: These narrow, twisting passages were specifically designed to disorient invaders and break the flight of arrows (and later, bullets).
• Climate protection: The layout creates natural shade and a "wind tunnel effect," protecting residents from the sweltering summer heat.
• Lack of open spaces: With the exception of the square in front of the cathedral and the bastions, the city consists of dense stone structures enclosed within a ring of fortifications.

Architectural Styles and Eras

Mdina's appearance is clearly divided into two main periods, separated by the devastating earthquake of 1693.

• Siculo-Norman style (Middle Ages):

  Before the earthquake, Mdina was a typical medieval city. A few significant buildings from this era have survived. They are distinguished by austere facades, bifora windows (double-arched windows), crenellated cornices, and massive doors. This style reflects a time when a home was a fortress.

• Maltese Baroque (late 17th – 18th centuries):

  The dominant style today. After 1693, the knights and local nobility rebuilt the city, giving it theatricality and grandeur. Mdina's Baroque is characterized by symmetry, rich decoration, the use of pilasters, balconies, and domes, which create the city's famous silhouette.

• Neo-Gothic (19th century):

  Found occasionally as a legacy of the British period. This style stands out with its pointed arches and more "romantic" decoration, contrasting with the classical Baroque.

Iconic Structures Shaping the City's Face

Mdina's key buildings serve as visual aids to the history of the island's architecture:

• St. Paul's Cathedral: A masterpiece of Maltese Baroque by architect Lorenzo Gafà. Its majestic dome and twin-towered facade became the city's visual landmark, replacing the destroyed Norman cathedral.
• Vilhena Palace: A brilliant example of French Baroque, built near the main gates. The building, with its horseshoe-shaped parade ground, showcases the luxury of the era of the Grand Masters.
• Palazzo Falson (Norman House): One of the oldest buildings (partially 13th century), preserving the spirit of medieval Mdina with its inner courtyard and Gothic elements.
• Palazzo Santa Sofia: An interesting example of blending eras, where the ground floor dates back to the 13th century (the oldest construction in the city), while the upper floor was added in the 20th century, imitating the ancient style.

Spiritual Patrons and Historical Leaders

• Apostle Paul (1st century AD) — Christian preacher and saint.
  A key figure in the city's history. According to the Acts of the Apostles, he lived in Mdina (then Melite) for three months after a shipwreck. He is credited with bringing Christianity to the island and healing the father of Publius, the chief official.
• Saint Publius (1st century AD) — Roman governor and the first Bishop of Malta.
  He received the Apostle Paul in his palace, on the site of which, according to tradition, Mdina's Cathedral now stands. He became the first head of the local Christian community and the city's patron saint.
• Roger I of Sicily (1031–1101) — Norman Count and conqueror.
  He liberated Malta from Arab rule in 1091. Legend has it that he granted the local residents their national colors (red and white) and contributed to the restoration of Christianity in Mdina.
• Alfonso V the Magnanimous (1396–1458) — King of Aragon and Sicily.
  Played a crucial role in the city's political status. In 1428, he granted Mdina the title of Città Notabile ("The Noble City") and secured its rights to internal self-government through the "Università."

Creators of the Architectural Image and Guardians of Heritage

• António Manoel de Vilhena (1663–1736) — 66th Grand Master of the Order of Malta.
  The initiator of the large-scale reconstruction of Mdina in the 18th century. By his decree, the new Main Gate, the Magisterial Palace (now the National Museum of Natural History), and many Baroque buildings that form the modern look of the city were built.
• Lorenzo Gafà (1639–1703) — Outstanding Maltese architect.
  The creator of the city's main symbol—St. Paul's Cathedral. He designed the majestic dome and facade of the temple after the devastating earthquake of 1693, defining Mdina's silhouette for centuries to come.
• Mattia Preti (1613–1699) — Italian Baroque painter.
  A Knight of the Order of Malta whose works adorn the interiors of the Cathedral. In particular, he is the author of the large-scale fresco "The Conversion of Saint Paul," which was a central element of the old altar.
• Olof Frederick Gollcher (1889–1962) — Artist, collector, and philanthropist.
  The last owner of Palazzo Falson (The Norman House). He amassed a unique collection of antiques and bequeathed his palace-home to the state, turning it into one of Mdina's best museums, preserving the lifestyle of the aristocracy.