Mdina, Malta
With several transportation options, we chose the least complicated. BOLT, a European Uber-like ride share company provided a very reasonably priced drive to Mdina. In an attempt to make this simple, we walked the short way to the Valletta city gates. Having not been to this area before, it looked like the Mdina city gates would be a simple drop off location. It turned out to be perfect. Our driver was excited that we were venturing out to see this special place.
Once inside the cathedral, the first thing I noticed was a beautiful courtyard. Surrounded by arched windows, I had to run inside and get another perspective… St Paul’s Cathedral is in the heart of what is known as “The Silent City”. Formally known as Metropolitan Cathedral of St Paul, this building was founded in the 12th century.
Impressive, tiled floors ran throughout the rooms on the outskirts of the cathedral. Beautiful marble… Mdina was the original capitol of Malta, prior to the development of Valletta. Currently, Mdina has a population of 320 people from 100 families.
Full of incredible antiques and wall art, walking through this area took us quite a long time. Several artists depicted scenes of Jesus and the Apostles from different perspectives. It was very interesting. Most impressive were the large desks and dressers. Solid wood, still in perfect shape. Some had very unique designs.
After thoroughly exploring the museum portion of the cathedral grounds, we walked down the marble steps. At the bottom of the banister, this amazing piece stared at me! It was a cross between whimsical and mythological; the bright color caught my eye.
Uniquely designed to enter through a tunnel. At the other end of the arch, is an organ. It is placed by the choir area. To the left is seating you will find the alter and sanctuary.
Standing in this impressive work of architecture. I was awed by the dome. Colorful and bright, this structure was completed in 1705. A national monument and major tourist attraction, the dome dominates the Malta (Mdina) skyline. This portion of the cathedral was a stunning addition after the 1893 after an earthquake that devastated nearby Sicily. The cathedral sustained serious damage.
Amazing! The ceiling was also added after the earthquake. Once a wooden ceiling, it was raised and arched. Once the newly designed structure was in place, biblical scenes were painted and embellished with gold. Look! I even got a selfie with Barry!
Such a peaceful and spiritual experience walking through the house of worship. We spent quite a bit of time walking over the 160 tombs, reading short blurbs about the deceased. Made of marble and tile, ornately decorated, most of the tombs belonged to political or religious elite.
An unexpected treat… only during the month of November, is the crypt beneath the cathedral open. Timing is everything. Roman walls, a Roman rock-cut water tank and important remnants from the city’s history could be found in the crypt. We also found four sections for burials of parishioners and clergy. It was quite chilly down in this area…
Visiting the Silent City is the perfect half day excursion. Easy to do on your own, there are also tours. This is an easy area to walk as no cars are allowed. However, you must watch out for the horse and carriage found throughout the fortified city.
Walking around, we worked up quite an appetite! Looking for a place with Gluten-Free options, we decided to walk outside the city to a neighboring town. Rabat is another nice place to explore. We ended up in a spot with a nice view and Aperol Spritz!
Oh my! Barry had spaghetti and said it was delicious. I had a gluten free penne pasta. The sauce was a little different… it was a curry and spinach sauce. Unique and delicious. I will be trying this at home!!!
As we departed the restaurant, we realized how safe we were inside. A guard watched over the entryway! Sunning himself, I’m sure he was still paying close attention. :-)
Needs no explanation! Another fruit stand that I love so much…
After finishing our exploration of Mdina and Rabat, we took a BOLT back to Valletta. This time, we were able to get a seat at 33 Steps! It is such a festive scene. Great music, great foot and the service was impeccable.
Described as a cocktail bar with the best mixologists, they may be correct. If nothing else, they have very unique options. Ordering what I thought was a martini type drink, the waiter had a bit of a smirk on his face as he approached. He laughed at my confused look as he set the bathtub in front of me. This was my cocktail… I did get a straw. Before ordering the next drink, I confirmed it would be served in a martini glass!!!
Finishing up our salads (Barry had Caprese and I had an octopus salad), we enjoyed the atmosphere for a bit longer. Then it was time to head back to our accommodations to get rest… Tomorrow we are up early and off to London/Southampton. It’s cruise time!!! This has been a great quick spotlight of a new destination to check out more thoroughly… soon, soon…
