It is thought to have 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, like the Medina and the Bacchus, and a Cafe right on the bastion walls. The history of Mdina is as old and as chequered as the history of Malta itself. It can trace its origins back more than 4000 years. This old medieval capital of Malta rises above central Malta, its bastions and cathedral dome dominating the skyline. It is fascinating to tour for its timeless atmosphere and cultural and religious treasures. 

Mdina has had different names and titles depending on its rulers and its role. It was Melita to the Romans; Medina to the Arabs; and Citta' Vecchia, the old city, when Valletta became the lifeblood of the Islands. None describe it better than its medieval name, Citta' Notabile, the noble city. It was home to Malta's noble families, some descendants of the Norman, Sicilian and Spanish overlords who made Mdina their home from the 12th century onwards. Their impressive palaces line its narrow, shady streets. Mdina is one of Europe's finest examples of an ancient walled city, and unusual in its mix of medieval and baroque architecture. Today Mdina has a quiet, restrained atmosphere in keeping with its noble past. Lamp-lit by night, Mdina transforms itself into the `Silent City'. For a relaxed evening, seek out the restaurants tucked away in its bastions and palace courtyards.