Mdina, Island of Malta

Mdina is a magical city that transports you to another world. This charming medieval hilltop village is rich in history and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To enter the city, visitors must go through the spectacular Main Gate, which gives the feeling of passing through time. A wonderful world of car-free streets and beautiful old sandstone structures exists within the city's enormous, medieval ramparts.

St. Paul's Cathedral, a magnificent Baroque structure created by Maltese architect Lorenzo Gafa, is one of Mdina's most popular tourist destinations. The ornately built church boasts a spectacular dome, marble columns, gilded accents, and beautiful ceiling paintings. A priceless 12th-century Madonna image and renowned works of art by celebrated Maltese painter Mattia Preti are among the cathedral's treasures.

Tourists should visit the old palaces in Mdina to gain a taste of the city's former magnificence. The Palazzo Vilhena (Saint Publius Square) is a grand 18th-century Magisterial Palace with a facade inspired by the Neoclassical style of the Château de Versailles. It presently contains Malta's renowned National Museum of Natural History, which displays fossils, birds' eggs, and bird nests.

Moreover, in Mdina, the Palazzo Falson Historic House Museum (Villegaignon Street) is a replica of a medieval palace decorated in an original manner. The Palazzo Falson also has a collection of ancient coins, as well as fine paintings, antiques, and Oriental carpets.

Location: Mdina, Malta

Highlights: Mdina Citadel, Cathedral of Saint Paul, Palazzo Falson Historic House Museum, Carmelite Priory, Mdina Cathedral Museum, Historical Buildings and Viewpoint on Bastion Square, ...

Best time to visit: May to September