By and far, our favorite experience on Malta was our trip to the walled, medieval city of Mdina. Mdina was the former capital of the island, and is now known as The Silent City because less than three hundred residents reside behind its walls. Automobiles are banned past the main gates (over an empty moat), so the only ways to tour the city are by foot or horse carriage. We opted for the horse carriage and Maltese guide, and it was truly rewarding because nothing compared to the atmosphere of the horse's hoofbeats echoing down the narrow stone corridors as we peered ahead to discover what was around each turn.
After our tour was over, we passed back across the stone bridge to wander the streets a little bit longer and have lunch at a cafe located in the former Carmelite priory. Christopher was treated to a milkshake, and we shared a pasta with Maltese sausage and a Maltese crusted pizza with chicken and mushrooms. We stopped at a few shops, and then it was time to head back to the 21st century and descend the hill into modern Malta.
The streets were very narrow and winding. Many times our carriage driver had to ring a bell to let others know that we were coming.
Most of Mdina's former palaces are now private homes. Is this one for sale? I'm ready to move in!
One of the bell towers of the Cathedral of the Conversion of St. Paul. It was built in the traditional location where the Apostle Paul met Publius after his ship wrecked on Malta.
Our horse leads the way through another winding corridor in Mdina. Many of the buildings featured iron streetlamps with amber glass like the one ahead.
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