Mdina is the Oldest town in Malta.  The Arabs named it Mdina (meaning "Capital") It was the Capital city untill Valletta was built in 1571. Mdina , also known as Citta Notabile, dates back to Roman times. It is a typical medieval town. Fotr its tranquility it is also known today as the "Silent City". Historival and architectural sites abound. 

The Cathedral was originally built on the house of Pulius, the Roman Governor, and later first Bishop of Malta. The present Cathedral was built by Lorenzo Gafa in 1697. 

Mdina- The City on a Throne

The history of Mdina and its suburb, Rabat, is as old and as chequered as the history of Malta itself. Its origin can be traced back more than 4000 year.

Over the years , the city had different names and titles, depending on who was ruling the island ain the over all power -game. Even from a distance they can sense that nobility is a main characteristic of this city. 

Mdina flourishes under Roman Rule: 

Following the Phoenicians, the Romans called the island "Melita" a derivation of the Phoenician word "Malet"

Under their rule , the island prospered. Famous poets and politicians of th time, like Cicero, Livy and Diodorus Sicilus, described Melita as a town with beautiful buildings and possesing a generous life style.

Melita becomes Mdina

The city received its present name, Mdina from the Saracens who took over the island in 870 AD. For reasons of defence, they separated Mdina from Rabat by a deep moat, and surrounded the hilltop section of the city with stronger walls and bastions.

They called this part of the city Mdina which roughly translates " the city surrounded by walls". They named the rest of the city "Rabat", which means suburb. From this time on , Mdina has barely changed. Its structure and street plan is the same as 1000 years ago. 

The Saracens of that period where by no means barbarians, or meer exploiters> Many of their contributions are still visible today, and still function as efficiently as they did then,

Christianity is restored by the Normans.

In 1090, Count Roger the Norman took over the city. One of his first official activities was to build a new church on the site of a small, neglected chapel- the place where Publius according to legend converted to Christianity. This newly magnificent church was dedicated to St. Paul.

Neglect follows the Normans

During this time the local Maltese nobility concentrated themselves in Mdina due to its excellent defense possibilities. Viceroy of Sicily granted the nobility the right of Internal autonomy. Mdina gained importance for the Maltese.

The Order of St . John (Knights) takes over: 

In this gloomy situation, Emperor Charles V, the real patron of the island removed his responsibility for the island  by a clever ploy. He "generously" donated the  donated Malta to the Order of St. John. At first the knights were not very pleased, as the described it as an empty rock with a few poor ancient terrified humans!

They Characterized Mdina as an ancient, deserted city. The ideal strategic position of Malta and its well protected harbors finally made the Knights accept the offer, as they were tired of wandering around Europe in search of a new home.

Mdina- refuge of the Maltese Nobility.

The Maltese nobility, who were mostly based in Mdina, did not like the Knights and looked upon them as unwanted Intruders. However, a gentlemen's agreement was reached. After all , the Nobles had no other choice, and began to see an advantage in the presence of the Knights on the Island against the pirate attacks they had to bear with before the Knights arrived.

The Grandmaster was acknowledged as master of the island, but had to swear to respect the internal autonomy of Mdina. Only after this formal acknowledgement did the Grandmaster receive the keys of the city.  This ceremony took place at the main gate of Mdina each time a new Grandmaster was elected.. Further more there was a tacit agreement that the order of St. John should concentrate their living quaters in Birgu and Valletta, whereas the Maltes nobility should concentrate on Mdina.

A guerilla War against the Turks:

During the Siege of St. Elmo and Birgu by the Turks, Mdina made a big contribution to the final victory through their Sicilian connections, and by organizing a guerilla war against the Turks, who frequently swarmed across the island to find something to pillage and ravage.

Especially demoralizing for the Turks was that , after the fall of St. Elmo, a Turkish prisoner was hanged every morning on the walls of Mdina, visible to every Turk around. A desperate attempt by the Turks to eliminate the Fortress of Mdina failed.