Mdina – The Silent City

Photograph by Anas Morsali, taken during his own trip

Mdina, known as 'The Silent City,' is Malta's ancient capital — a fortified medieval city perched atop a hill in the centre of the island, its honey-coloured limestone walls glowing golden at sunset. Founded as 'Melita' by the Phoenicians around 700 BC and later fortified by the Arabs who gave it its current name (from 'medina,' meaning walled city), Mdina was Malta's political centre for millennia before the Knights of St. John moved the capital to Valletta. Today, fewer than 300 people live within its walls, and the strict prohibition on most vehicular traffic gives the city its famous silence — an atmosphere of timeless tranquility that transports visitors to another era. The narrow, winding streets reveal Norman, medieval, and baroque architecture at every turn, from the imposing Cathedral of St. Paul (built on the site where St. Paul is said to have converted the Roman governor in 60 AD) to elegant noble palaces with their carved stone coats of arms. The bastions offer breathtaking panoramic views across the entire island — from the distant dome of Mosta to the blue Mediterranean horizon. At night, when the day-trippers depart and the gas-style lanterns illuminate the empty streets, Mdina becomes truly magical.

Planning the wider trip? The Malta planning guide covers how to get there, how to move around, where to stay, realistic costs and a day-by-day itinerary that includes Mdina – The Silent City.