Nestled in south west Malta, Mdina and Rabat are rich in culture. Many travellers are drawn here when visiting the island as the two towns make great bases for daytrips. You will find nowhere else in the world like Mdina, surrounded by tall bastion fortifications, and experiencing the town will be unforgettable. Rabat neighbours Mdina, the pair once secluded within the same defensive wall, and is less-visited but bursting with rural character, containing one of the few forested areas on the island. Be sure to include the attractions listed below when visiting the area.
Mdina. Photo by: mRGB/Adobe Stock
Mdina
Originally the home to Malta’s noble families, it remains one of Europe’s finest walled cities, containing a mix of baroque and medieval architecture. Recorded history of the island can be followed back over 4000 years. Once the capital of Malta, much of its population moved away to Vittoriosa (now known as Valletta) when this new area was established. It’s due to its size and lack of inhabitants (population stands around 300), along with the restriction on cars into the town, that has led to its nickname, “the Silent City”. Its position on one of the highest hills on the island allows for some incredible views.
Cross the moat surrounding Mdina and enter through the dominating city gate. The gate was used as a filming location for the first season of Game of Thrones as Kings Landing, before they moved filming to Dubrovnik.
Vilhena Palace, Natural History Museum and Dungeons
The Tourist Information office can be found on the left as you enter, and Vilhena Palace to the right. Within the 18th century building, collect a self-guided audio tour to learn more about its past. In the past, circumstances have called upon it to become a temporary hospital; once in 1837 when there was a cholera outbreak and again in the early 20th century for TB patients. It housed soldiers in 1860 but more recently in 1973 became home to the island’s Natural History Museum.
The Museum here is run by Heritage Malta, along with several other attractions. It contains many displays covering aspects of Maltese geology and palaeontology, mammals and marine life, insects and birds. You can also see the largest squid ever to be caught in Maltese waters. Individual displays are attributed to the national bird of Malta, the Blue Rock Thrush, and the national plant, the Maltese centaury.
Underneath Vilhena Palace are the Mdina Dungeons. Located in secret underground passageways, chambers and cells, learn the dark side of Malta’s history. Head to Mesquita Square a few minutes away for the Mdina Experience. Take part in this 25-minute audio-visual presentation of 3000 years of Mdina’s history.
Valhena Palace. Photo by: Anibal Trejo/Adobe Stock
St Paul and the Knights of Malta
St Paul’s Cathedral located nearby is considered one of the best examples of Maltese baroque. It was erected between 1697 and 1702. Inside you’ll find ornate marble floors, a 15th century Tuscan panel painting of the Madonna and Child, and the painting of The Conversion of St Paul by Mattia Preti. A museum is housed in the baroque building next door containing a fine collection of Albrecht Dürer woodcuts, a German painter and engraver.
Nearby is the Knights of Malta containing a series of tableaux’s with an audio-visual show explaining the founding of the Order of the Knights of St John. Discover more about the founding of these Crusader Knights which ruled Malta from 1530, defending the island from Muslim invaders and building cities, before their expulsion in 1798.
Just on the outskirts of Mdina, St Paul’s Catacombs and Museum has more than 30 hypogea, established from the 3rd century AD. This site contained the earliest recorded evidence of Christianity in Malta. The tombs here were built to contain more than 1000 bodies. Due to Roman law, it was prohibited to bury bodies within a city which is why the catacombs are just outside the town. The site itself has no direct connection to St Paul, but is named more due to its distance from St Paul’s Church, where he is believed to have stayed for 3 months following his shipwreck on Malta.
St Paul’s Cathedral. Photo by: Calin Stan/Adobe Stock
Rabat
To the west of Mdina sits Rabat. Here, the Domvs Romana (Roman Villa) was accidentally discovered during a landscaping project in 1881. It became the first site to have a purpose-built building established to house the remains of this aristocratic town house and the findings. In the 11th century, a Muslim cemetery had been built on top so tombstones and other remains are viewable. The onsite museum houses artefacts and antiquities from the Roman era from all over the island, not just this site. The villa provides an excellent glimpse into domestic Roman life. Be sure to check out the intricate mosaics inside.
Similarly to the catacombs found in Mdina, the Catacombs of St Agatha, also make for an interesting visit. There are over 500 graves of several types, most of them for children. Frescos found here were painted between the 12th and 16th centuries. The catacombs themselves are only accessible by guided tour which lasts around 30 minutes long and gives an insight into the different grave formations found onsite.
St Paul’s Church, Wignacourt Museum and underground
St Paul’s Church was built in 1675, following his shipwreck on the island. Worth a passing visit on your day trip and you can grab a refreshing drink from the on-site café.
Next to the church is Wignacourt Museum, based in the 18th Century baroque building that the Chaplains of the Order of St John resided in. It also held Wignacourt College which was responsible for the upkeep and management of the church and grotto. Since this time, it’s been a school, an infirmary and a social centre. It became a museum in 1981 and has three storeys of interesting exhibitions. There is also an art gallery with works by the likes of Mattia Preti, Antoine Favray and Francesco Zahra. The rest of the museum displays artefacts such as statues, silver works, historical maps, coins, pottery, and rare books.
From the museum, you can access the underground St Paul’s Grotto, where he is said to have preached following his shipwreck. There are also around 50 rooms which served as World War II shelters. The hypogea and catacombs date back over 2000 years and are a mix of Punic, Roman and Christian in origin. Catch the statue of St Paul which was donated in 1748 and the silver galley hanging from the ceiling, given by the Knights of St John in 1960 in celebration of 1,900 years since St Paul’s shipwreck.
St Paul’s Church. Photo by: Calin Stan/Adobe Stock
Your ancient Malta itinerary
If you’ve visited Mdina and Rabat before, let us know in the comments below what attractions or sights you’ve enjoyed. Don’t forget to book your car hire to make your trip to these areas as easy as possible.
Written by Jessica Juby.
Make sure you follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest travel tips and news. Remember to sign up to our newsletter below for the latest deals.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Want our blogs emailed direct to you? Sign up below to get updates featuring our blogs and car hire top tips. Receive the best deals on car hire straight to your inbox.
