July 26 - Valletta (Day trip to Mdina)

 July 26 - Valletta (Day trip to Mdina)

Out on a day trip today to the city of Mdina.  


Mdina, a medieval town about 15 kms away from here, was the old capital of Malta and is known as the ‘Silent City’ (apparently this name originated when the population went from thousands to only hundreds as people moved to the new capital of Valletta).  Originally inhabited by the Phoenicians, around 700 BC, and then by almost everyone else since, most of the town’s existing architecture is from the 1500’s onwards. Considering the city’s history the place is actually quite small, less than 1sq km, however, with its narrow cobblestone streets and alleyways, and its many palaces and churches, this old walled city really is a beautiful place to visit.

One particular standout was the cathedral, St Paul’s.  Constructed in the early 1700’s the church apparently stands on the site where Roman governor Publius met St Paul following his shipwreck on the island!.  


The Baroque style interior of the church, with its many frescoes and stunning marble decoration, is magnificent, and, in addition to this, there are some fantastic inlaid tombstones covering the church floor as well. 

When we first arrived in town this morning everything was so quiet and serene, and, with the magnificent old architecture, it was like stepping back in time, it was fantastic.  However, at the time we didn’t realise how lucky we were as, just as we were leaving for Rabat, about a ‘million’ cruise ship passengers suddenly appeared by the bus load, yuk!  


Our second port of call was to Rabat, a town almost surrounding Mdina, but also very walkable.  

The main reason for this visit was to see the St Paul’s Catacombs.  Serving as a burial ground from the Punic, Roman and Byzantine times these catacombs, originating from about 400 BC, represent the earliest archaeological evidence of Christianity in Malta.  With it’s complex arrangement of interconnected passages and tombs, and covering an area over 2000 sq metres, it’s really quite impressive. However, I’m not too sure how one is supposed to make a complicated system of holes dug underground picturesque! 🤔😆



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