Visiting the Fortified City of Mdina

The fortified city of Mdina (pronounced em-dina) sits in the heart of Malta, visible for miles around with a strong boundary of limestone walls to protect it. Home to stunning architecture and plenty of photogenic doors for which it is so well known, visiting Mdina is like a virtual walk through history.

Mdina has been around in some form for over 4000 years and even to this day has remnants of its past, such as being lit up by lamps at night to enhance the medieval feel. Many nobility of Malta have lived here, hence the grandiose buildings that line the streets, including those of the Norman, Sicilian and Spanish overlords from the 12th century.

Perhaps the most well-known spot of Mdina these days is the popular blue door framed with overflowing pink bougainvillea, providing a quaint backdrop for a photograph. Otherwise, the best thing to do is wander the streets, explore the churches and cathedrals and enjoy the views along the way.

Note: please take the time to walk around the city - do not pay for a horse-drawn carriage tour, as the horses are not well treated and are both under-fed and under-watered in the sweltering heat (it was 41 degrees when I visited).