Mdina, pronounced em-dina, was the original capital of Malta and its oldest city. We took Bus 84 for the 25 minute ride. Our driver looked just like my nephew-in-law, Ed Aleson, proving that we do have a twin in this world. We were lucky to get one of the older buses with no air conditioning and no shock absorbers. We were the only tourists on the bus and it was interesting to watch the local people go about their normal day. The ride through the outskirts of the city showed us that it isn’t only Valletta that has preserved the old buildings with the elaborate architecture. The whole city has that same quality.
Mdina is 9.5 kilometers from Valletta and we could see it in the distance. It’s built up on a hill with the large cathedral and fortress being the first things you see. The town is apparently preparing for some kind of religious festival because they have strung huge colorful banners across the narrow streets which give a lovely splash of color against the gold limestone.
The original Mdina is a walled city surrounded by a moat which is dry and filled with trees and bushes today. When you enter the gates of the city you are catapulted back in time thousands of years. Only 300 people live inside these walls. All the buildings are the same golden limestone and the streets are cobbled. Cars are allowed inside but the streets are so narrow that no vehicle can be wider than 5’6”, so cars are few and far between. We wanted to see a movie called “The Mdina Experience” so we could get a better education about the town so we bought tickets and had to wait 15 minutes until the movie started. The theater was in one of the ancient buildings and they had a small café where we had a drink while we waited. It was exactly like one would think a medieval tavern would feel. The movie was informative and afterward we walked around the city envisioning the events of the past and enjoying the ambiance of Mdina.
We’re at sea for two days on our way to Gibraltar.
Mdina is 9.5 kilometers from Valletta and we could see it in the distance. It’s built up on a hill with the large cathedral and fortress being the first things you see. The town is apparently preparing for some kind of religious festival because they have strung huge colorful banners across the narrow streets which give a lovely splash of color against the gold limestone.
The original Mdina is a walled city surrounded by a moat which is dry and filled with trees and bushes today. When you enter the gates of the city you are catapulted back in time thousands of years. Only 300 people live inside these walls. All the buildings are the same golden limestone and the streets are cobbled. Cars are allowed inside but the streets are so narrow that no vehicle can be wider than 5’6”, so cars are few and far between. We wanted to see a movie called “The Mdina Experience” so we could get a better education about the town so we bought tickets and had to wait 15 minutes until the movie started. The theater was in one of the ancient buildings and they had a small café where we had a drink while we waited. It was exactly like one would think a medieval tavern would feel. The movie was informative and afterward we walked around the city envisioning the events of the past and enjoying the ambiance of Mdina.
We’re at sea for two days on our way to Gibraltar.
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