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The
old and silent capital is a typical mediaeval town situated in the centre of the
Maltese Islands. The "Silent City", commands a panoramic view of the
Island and although it is fully inhabited, silence prevails and you can touch
and feel the sensation of mediaeval times.
The history of
the Maltese Islands states that this ‘Silent City’ has been first populated
by the Phoenicians around 1000 BC. When Malta came under the Romans, the
Governor chose to build his Palace there and it housed the government. The city
earned its present day name from the Saracens who came to Malta around 870 AD.
They surrounded the city with thicker walls, separating it from its nearest
town, Rabat.
Today,
mercifully it is mainly off limits to cars and there is a calming atmosphere as
you walk along its narrow streets and ways, passing by some of the best Norman
and Baroque architecture on the island. Several Palaces are situated here, most
serving as private homes. The Cathedral is worth visiting and is fronted by a
large square, the only open space you'll find within this tiny City.
Mdina acts like
a time capsule, transporting you to another era. Tucked away in the narrow
alleyways, you can find a couple of good restaurants and cafeterias. Mdina’s
subborg is Rabat.
Rabat was
originally an agricultural town, and today it has grown into one of Malta's more
pleasant locations. Surrounded on all sides by open and fertile countryside, it
has a gentle and open feel to it, thanks to the lack of intensive building
developments.
On the
perimeter of the road that separates Mdina from Rabat (walk through the public
Gardens at the Entrance to Mdina), you can find the Roman Villa, a significant
Roman remains discovered in 1881. The main attraction is the mosaic floor, and
the present building was constructed around it to help preserve it. Other
artifacts like ceramics and busts of Tiberius can be seen.
Close to St Paul's church, reputedly Malta's first parish church, which also
houses a Grotto that was used by St Paul during his stay on Malta, one can find
the 'Catacombs'; tombs and tunnels dug out of stone, which according to legend,
served as a hiding place for St. Agatha, who had fled Sicily in 249 AD, trying
to avoid marrying the then Governor of Catania, Quintanus. Frescoes dating back
to the Byzantine period (c. 395-870 AD)
A little distance away from Rabat on the way to Dingli, lies the Verdala Palace.
This was built in 1586 for the eponymous Grand Master, and is surrounded by the
largest concentration of fir and olive trees in Malta, above the citrus groves
of Buskett Gardens. This place offers a great contrast from the somewhat
treeless countryside, especially during summer.
A
short distance away are the Dingli Cliffs, Malta's highest point; dramatic sheer
cliff faces which offer great views, particularly of Filfla, an protected islet
in the distance. All these locations are clearly signposted, and public
transport (Buses 80 & 81) is available to Rabat and Dingli.
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