Mdina Gate & City Walls — Mdina

What is Mdina Gate?

Mdina Gate is the grand Baroque main entrance to Mdina, the old fortified capital of Malta. Set into the city's massive walls and reached across a bridge over the former ditch, the gate forms the dramatic threshold between the busy outside world and the quiet, car-free streets within — which is why Mdina is known as the "Silent City".

Where is Mdina Gate?

The gate stands on the southern side of Mdina, the hilltop city in the centre of Malta, next to Rabat.

History of Mdina Gate and the walls

Mdina has been a fortified settlement since Phoenician and Roman times, when the city of Melite stood here, and it served as Malta's capital through the medieval period. The present main gate was built in 1724 under Grand Master António Manoel de Vilhena, designed by the French architect Charles François de Mondion in an elegant Baroque style, replacing an older medieval entrance nearby (which was sealed and can still be traced). The surrounding walls and bastions were raised and remodelled over many centuries, giving the city its formidable defences. Mdina's timeless streets and gate have made it a favourite filming location, including for international television.

What to see at Mdina Gate and the walls

• The ornate Baroque main gate and the bridge approach.
• The old, sealed medieval gate nearby.
• Walks along the bastions with views over the countryside.
• The silent streets, palaces and St Paul's Cathedral within.

Significance

The gate and walls express centuries of Maltese history in a single sweep — ancient capital, medieval stronghold and Baroque showpiece. The entrance to Mdina is one of the iconic images of the island and a gateway, quite literally, into its past.

Visiting Mdina Gate

Entering Mdina through the gate is free and possible at any time, as it is a living town. The streets are largely closed to traffic, so it is explored on foot. Individual attractions inside, such as the cathedral and museums, have their own hours and tickets.