Near the center of the island of Malta, Mdina affords excellent panoramas of the island. This former capital, often called "Silent City" because of its very quiet environment, is surrounded by walls built by the Arabs and fortified by the Knights of St. John. The city is entered via a bridge across a dry moat which leads to its impressive main gate. Apart from its atmospheric, medieval streets, Mdina's attractions include the National Museum of Natural History, Palazzo Falzon (also called the Norman House) and the Carmelite Church. The highlight is St. Paul's Cathedral, with its lavishly decorated interior that rivals St. John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta. The cathedral museum contains works by Francisco Goya and woodcuts by Albrecht Durer. Casual strollers will be rewarded with views of numerous churches, stone mansions and fortifications.
The Mdina suburb of Rabat (not to be confused with the Rabat on Gozo) is renowned for glassblowing, pottery and weaving—try to watch the craftspeople at work. Rabat's main attractions are St. Paul's and St. Agatha's Catacombs (fourth-century underground cemeteries), St. Paul's Grotto (where the saint is believed to have taken shelter) and the Museum of Roman Antiquities.
Mdina is 7 mi/11 km from Valletta.