Mdina - Revision history

GoingBatty: General fixes, typo(s) fixed: Council → council, a 9th century → a 9th-century, ectly- → ectly , ’s → 's (2), replaced: 2024 → 2024

2024-11-01T16:44:35Z

General fixes, typo(s) fixed: Council → council, a 9th century → a 9th-century, ectly- → ectly , ’s → 's (2), replaced: 2024 → 2024

← Previous revision		Revision as of 16:44, 1 November 2024
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	'''Mdina''' ({{langx\|mt\|L-Imdina}} {{IPA-mt\|lɪmˈdiːnɐ\|}}; {{Langx\|it\|Medina}}), also known by its Italian epithets '''{{lang\|it\|Città Vecchia\|italics=no}}''' ("Old City") and '''{{lang\|it\|Città Notabile\|italics=no}}''' ("Notable City"), is a [[fortifications of Mdina\|fortified]] city in the [[Northern Region, Malta\|Northern Region]] of [[Malta]] which served as the island's former capital, from antiquity to the medieval period. The city is still confined within its walls, and has a population of 250.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014 \|url=https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|publisher=[[Government of Malta]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621211549/https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|archive-date=21 June 2015 \|date=16 May 2014 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>		'''Mdina''' ({{langx\|mt\|L-Imdina}} {{IPA-mt\|lɪmˈdiːnɐ\|}}; {{Langx\|it\|Medina}}), also known by its Italian epithets '''{{lang\|it\|Città Vecchia\|italics=no}}''' ("Old City") and '''{{lang\|it\|Città Notabile\|italics=no}}''' ("Notable City"), is a [[fortifications of Mdina\|fortified]] city in the [[Northern Region, Malta\|Northern Region]] of [[Malta]] which served as the island's former capital, from antiquity to the medieval period. The city is still confined within its walls, and has a population of 250.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014 \|url=https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|publisher=[[Government of Malta]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621211549/https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|archive-date=21 June 2015 \|date=16 May 2014 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>

	A natural [[redoubt]], the area of the city has been inhabited since prehistory. A [[Phoenicia]]n [[Phoenician colonization\|colony]] known as Ann ({{langx\|phn\|𐤀𐤍𐤍‎}}, {{sc\|ʾnn}}) was established around the {{nowrap\|8th century BC,}} sharing its name with the island and presumably acting as its capital. During the [[Punic Wars]], the town was acquired by the [[Roman Republic\|Romans]] and renamed [[Melita (ancient city)\|Melita]] ({{lang-grc-gre\|Μελίτη}}, {{translit\|grc\|Melítē}}) after the Greek and [[Latin language\|Latin]] name for the island, probably taken from the Punic port at [[Cospicua]] on the [[Grand Harbour]]. Greco-Roman Melite was larger than present-day Mdina. It was reduced to its present size during the period of [[Byzantine Malta\|Byzantine]] or [[History of Islam in southern Italy\|Arab rule]]. Following a 9th century massacre, the area was largely uninhabited until its refounding in the 11th century as {{Transliteration\|ar\|Madīnah}}, from which the town's current name derives. Mdina then continued to serve as the capital of Malta until the arrival of the [[Knights Hospitaller\|Order of St. John]] in 1530, who used [[Birgu]] instead. Mdina experienced a period of decline over the following centuries, although it saw a revival in the early 18th century during which several [[Baroque architecture\|Baroque]] buildings were erected.		A natural [[redoubt]], the area of the city has been inhabited since prehistory. A [[Phoenicia]]n [[Phoenician colonization\|colony]] known as Ann ({{langx\|phn\|𐤀𐤍𐤍‎}}, {{sc\|ʾnn}}) was established around the {{nowrap\|8th century BC,}} sharing its name with the island and presumably acting as its capital. During the [[Punic Wars]], the town was acquired by the [[Roman Republic\|Romans]] and renamed [[Melita (ancient city)\|Melita]] ({{lang-grc-gre\|Μελίτη}}, {{translit\|grc\|Melítē}}) after the Greek and [[Latin language\|Latin]] name for the island, probably taken from the Punic port at [[Cospicua]] on the [[Grand Harbour]]. Greco-Roman Melite was larger than present-day Mdina. It was reduced to its present size during the period of [[Byzantine Malta\|Byzantine]] or [[History of Islam in southern Italy\|Arab rule]]. Following a 9th-century massacre, the area was largely uninhabited until its refounding in the 11th century as {{Transliteration\|ar\|Madīnah}}, from which the town's current name derives. Mdina then continued to serve as the capital of Malta until the arrival of the [[Knights Hospitaller\|Order of St. John]] in 1530, who used [[Birgu]] instead. Mdina experienced a period of decline over the following centuries, although it saw a revival in the early 18th century during which several [[Baroque architecture\|Baroque]] buildings were erected.

	Largely maintaining its medieval character, Mdina remained the centre of the Maltese nobility and religious authorities and property continues to largely be passed down from families and from generation to generation. It never regained its pre-1530 importance, however, giving rise to the popular nickname the "Silent City" by both locals and visitors.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Mdina & Rabat \|url=https://www.visitmalta.com/en/mdina-and-rabat \|website=VisitMalta \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613050338/https://www.visitmalta.com/en/mdina-and-rabat \|archive-date=13 June 2020}}</ref> Mdina is on the tentative list of [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]s, and it is now one of the main tourist attractions in Malta.<ref>{{cite web \|last1=Blasi \|first1=Abigail \|title=Top 10 day trips in Malta \|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/malta/travel-tips-and-articles/top-10-day-trips-in-malta \|publisher=[[Lonely Planet]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010132218/https://www.lonelyplanet.com/malta/travel-tips-and-articles/top-10-day-trips-in-malta \|archive-date=10 October 2015 \|date=29 September 2014 }}</ref>		Largely maintaining its medieval character, Mdina remained the centre of the Maltese nobility and religious authorities and property continues to largely be passed down from families and from generation to generation. It never regained its pre-1530 importance, however, giving rise to the popular nickname the "Silent City" by both locals and visitors.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Mdina & Rabat \|url=https://www.visitmalta.com/en/mdina-and-rabat \|website=VisitMalta \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613050338/https://www.visitmalta.com/en/mdina-and-rabat \|archive-date=13 June 2020}}</ref> Mdina is on the tentative list of [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]s, and it is now one of the main tourist attractions in Malta.<ref>{{cite web \|last1=Blasi \|first1=Abigail \|title=Top 10 day trips in Malta \|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/malta/travel-tips-and-articles/top-10-day-trips-in-malta \|publisher=[[Lonely Planet]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010132218/https://www.lonelyplanet.com/malta/travel-tips-and-articles/top-10-day-trips-in-malta \|archive-date=10 October 2015 \|date=29 September 2014 }}</ref>
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	In 870, Byzantine Melite, which was ruled by governor Amros (probably Ambrosios), was [[Siege of Melite (870)\|besieged]] by [[Aghlabids]] led by Halaf al-Hādim. He was killed in the fighting, and Sawāda Ibn Muḥammad was sent from [[Sicily]] to continue the siege following his death. The duration of the siege is unknown, but it probably lasted for some weeks or months. After Melite fell to the invaders, the inhabitants were massacred, the city was destroyed and its churches were looted. Marble from Melite's churches was used to build the castle of [[Sousse]] ([[Ribat of Sousse]], [[Tunisia]]) .<ref>{{harvnb\|Brincat\|1995\|p=11}}</ref><ref>https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/41626/1/Malta_fiz-zmien_nofsani_1989.pdf {{Bare URL PDF\|date=March 2022}}</ref>		In 870, Byzantine Melite, which was ruled by governor Amros (probably Ambrosios), was [[Siege of Melite (870)\|besieged]] by [[Aghlabids]] led by Halaf al-Hādim. He was killed in the fighting, and Sawāda Ibn Muḥammad was sent from [[Sicily]] to continue the siege following his death. The duration of the siege is unknown, but it probably lasted for some weeks or months. After Melite fell to the invaders, the inhabitants were massacred, the city was destroyed and its churches were looted. Marble from Melite's churches was used to build the castle of [[Sousse]] ([[Ribat of Sousse]], [[Tunisia]]) .<ref>{{harvnb\|Brincat\|1995\|p=11}}</ref><ref>https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/41626/1/Malta_fiz-zmien_nofsani_1989.pdf {{Bare URL PDF\|date=March 2022}}</ref>

	According to [[Al-Himyarī]], Malta remained almost uninhabited until it was resettled in 1048 or 1049 by Muslims from [[Emirate of Sicily\|Sicily]] and their slaves, who built a settlement called Madina on the site of Melite.<ref name=":0522">{{Cite book \|last=Cassar \|first=Carmel \|title=Encyclopaedia of Islam, Three \|publisher=Brill \|year=2022 \|isbn=9789004161658 \|editor-last=Fleet \|editor-first=Kate \|location= \|pages= \|language=en \|chapter=Malta \|quote=The Arabs established themselves in the old Roman town of Melita, which they renamed Mdina (Madīna). According to the Arab chronicler and geographer al-Ḥimyarī (d. c.727/1326–7), Malta remained practically uninhabited after the Muslim conquest, until it was colonised by Muslims from Sicily in 440–1/1048–9. Joseph Brincat interprets al-Ḥimyarī’s account of the 441/1049 Arab colonisation to suggest, among other things, that the island remained essentially uninhabited for 180 years (Brincat, 9–14), somewhat confirming Ibn Ḥawqal’s assertion that Malta was populated only by wild donkeys and numerous sheep, and that it "produces honey" (Ibn Hawqal, 1:198). \|editor-last2=Krämer \|editor-first2=Gudrun \|editor-last3=Matringe \|editor-first3=Denis \|editor-last4=Nawas \|editor-first4=John \|editor-last5=Rowson \|editor-first5=Everett}}</ref> Archaeological evidence suggests that the city was already a thriving Muslim settlement by the beginning of the 11th century, so 1048–49 might be the date when the city was officially founded and its walls were constructed.<ref>{{harvnb\|Blouet\|2007\|p=41}}</ref>{{~~Verification~~ ~~needed~~\|date=April 2024\|reason=This statement/argument doesn't seem to appear in the cited source. A 1981 edition of the book should be accessible at archive.org/details/storyofmalta0000bria/page/36/mode/2up. It's possible that a later edition would contain more detail, but also possible that this is WP:OR.}} The layout of the new city was completely different to that of ancient Melite.<ref name="times2002-03-19"/> Some aspects of present-day Mdina's layout, such as its narrow and maze-like streets, may still reflect the legacy of this period and share some similarities with historic North African [[Medina quarter\|medinas]].<ref name=":2" />		According to [[Al-Himyarī]], Malta remained almost uninhabited until it was resettled in 1048 or 1049 by Muslims from [[Emirate of Sicily\|Sicily]] and their slaves, who built a settlement called Madina on the site of Melite.<ref name=":0522">{{Cite book \|last=Cassar \|first=Carmel \|title=Encyclopaedia of Islam, Three \|publisher=Brill \|year=2022 \|isbn=9789004161658 \|editor-last=Fleet \|editor-first=Kate \|location= \|pages= \|language=en \|chapter=Malta \|quote=The Arabs established themselves in the old Roman town of Melita, which they renamed Mdina (Madīna). According to the Arab chronicler and geographer al-Ḥimyarī (d. c.727/1326–7), Malta remained practically uninhabited after the Muslim conquest, until it was colonised by Muslims from Sicily in 440–1/1048–9. Joseph Brincat interprets al-Ḥimyarī’s account of the 441/1049 Arab colonisation to suggest, among other things, that the island remained essentially uninhabited for 180 years (Brincat, 9–14), somewhat confirming Ibn Ḥawqal’s assertion that Malta was populated only by wild donkeys and numerous sheep, and that it "produces honey" (Ibn Hawqal, 1:198). \|editor-last2=Krämer \|editor-first2=Gudrun \|editor-last3=Matringe \|editor-first3=Denis \|editor-last4=Nawas \|editor-first4=John \|editor-last5=Rowson \|editor-first5=Everett}}</ref> Archaeological evidence suggests that the city was already a thriving Muslim settlement by the beginning of the 11th century, so 1048–49 might be the date when the city was officially founded and its walls were constructed.<ref>{{harvnb\|Blouet\|2007\|p=41}}</ref>{{Verify source\|date=April 2024\|reason=This statement/argument doesn't seem to appear in the cited source. A 1981 edition of the book should be accessible at archive.org/details/storyofmalta0000bria/page/36/mode/2up. It's possible that a later edition would contain more detail, but also possible that this is WP:OR.}} The layout of the new city was completely different to that of ancient Melite.<ref name="times2002-03-19"/> Some aspects of present-day Mdina's layout, such as its narrow and maze-like streets, may still reflect the legacy of this period and share some similarities with historic North African [[Medina quarter\|medinas]].<ref name=":2" />

	The Byzantines [[Siege of Medina (1053–54)\|besieged Medina]] in 1053–54, but were repelled by its defenders.<ref>{{harvnb\|Brincat\|1995\|p=12}}</ref> The city surrendered peacefully to [[Roger I of Sicily]] after a [[Norman invasion of Malta\|short siege]] in 1091,<ref>{{cite book\|last1=Dalli\|first1=Charles\|editor1-last=Cortis\|editor1-first=Toni\|editor2-last=Gambin\|editor2-first=Timothy\|title=De Triremibus: Festschrift in honour of Joseph Muscat\|date=2005\|publisher=Publishers Enterprises Group (PEG) Ltd\|isbn=9789990904093\|page=273\|url=http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/The%20Arabs%20in%20Malta/2005%20Dalli.pdf\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717075419/http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/The%20Arabs%20in%20Malta/2005%20Dalli.pdf\|archive-date=17 July 2014\|chapter=The Siculo-African Peace and Roger I's Annexation of Malta in 1091}}</ref> and Malta was subsequently incorporated into the [[County of Sicily\|County]] and later the [[Kingdom of Sicily]], being dominated by a succession of feudal lords. A castle known as the ''Castellu di la Chitati'' was built on the southeast corner of the city near the main entrance, probably on the site of an earlier Byzantine fort.		The Byzantines [[Siege of Medina (1053–54)\|besieged Medina]] in 1053–54, but were repelled by its defenders.<ref>{{harvnb\|Brincat\|1995\|p=12}}</ref> The city surrendered peacefully to [[Roger I of Sicily]] after a [[Norman invasion of Malta\|short siege]] in 1091,<ref>{{cite book\|last1=Dalli\|first1=Charles\|editor1-last=Cortis\|editor1-first=Toni\|editor2-last=Gambin\|editor2-first=Timothy\|title=De Triremibus: Festschrift in honour of Joseph Muscat\|date=2005\|publisher=Publishers Enterprises Group (PEG) Ltd\|isbn=9789990904093\|page=273\|url=http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/The%20Arabs%20in%20Malta/2005%20Dalli.pdf\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717075419/http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/The%20Arabs%20in%20Malta/2005%20Dalli.pdf\|archive-date=17 July 2014\|chapter=The Siculo-African Peace and Roger I's Annexation of Malta in 1091}}</ref> and Malta was subsequently incorporated into the [[County of Sicily\|County]] and later the [[Kingdom of Sicily]], being dominated by a succession of feudal lords. A castle known as the ''Castellu di la Chitati'' was built on the southeast corner of the city near the main entrance, probably on the site of an earlier Byzantine fort.
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	*{{color box\|{{party color\|Nationalist Party (Malta)}}}} [[Partit Nazzjonalista\|Nationalist Party]] (4)		*{{color box\|{{party color\|Nationalist Party (Malta)}}}} [[Partit Nazzjonalista\|Nationalist Party]] (4)
	'''Minority'''		'''Minority'''
	*{{color box\|{{party color\|Labour Party (Malta)}}}} [[Partit Laburista\|Labour Party]] (1)\|last_election1=[[2024]] (Same 5 councillors elected unopposed since 2013)\|next_election1=2029}}		*{{color box\|{{party color\|Labour Party (Malta)}}}} [[Partit Laburista\|Labour Party]] (1)\|last_election1=2024 (Same 5 councillors elected unopposed since 2013)\|next_election1=2029}}

	=== Local Council ===		=== Local Council ===
	Mdina is governed by a directly-elected 5-member Local Council. The [[Partit Nazzjonalista\|Nationalist Party]] has always had the majority of seats and all mayors of Mdina have come from this party, with the Labour Party holding either one, two or no seats at all since the inception of the ~~Council~~. Peter Joseph Sant Manduca, Count of Sant Manduca{{Efn\|Peter Joseph dei Conti Sant Manduca is the name he registers in local council elections.}},<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Sant Manduca \|url=https://santfournier.org/32%20COP%20Titles/sant_manduca.html \|access-date=2023-07-11 \|website=santfournier.org}}</ref> has been Mayor of Mdina since 2003.<ref>PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION, 1800/2008 Malta,		Mdina is governed by a directly elected 5-member Local Council. The [[Partit Nazzjonalista\|Nationalist Party]] has always had the majority of seats and all mayors of Mdina have come from this party, with the Labour Party holding either one, two or no seats at all since the inception of the council. Peter Joseph Sant Manduca, Count of Sant Manduca,{{Efn\|Peter Joseph dei Conti Sant Manduca is the name he registers in local council elections.}}<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Sant Manduca \|url=https://santfournier.org/32%20COP%20Titles/sant_manduca.html \|access-date=2023-07-11 \|website=santfournier.org}}</ref> has been Mayor of Mdina since 2003.<ref>PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION, 1800/2008 Malta,

	https://parlament.mt/media/60131/0468.pdf</ref> The 2019 election did not happen as only five nominations (therefore equalling the total amount of seats) were submitted.		https://parlament.mt/media/60131/0468.pdf</ref> The 2019 election did not happen as only five nominations (therefore equalling the total amount of seats) were submitted.
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	*In [[White Wolf Publishing]]'s ''[[World of Darkness]]'', Mdina is the European capital of clan [[Lasombra]].		*In [[White Wolf Publishing]]'s ''[[World of Darkness]]'', Mdina is the European capital of clan [[Lasombra]].
	*In the 2007 novel ''[[Snakehead (novel)\|Snakehead]]'' by [[Anthony Horowitz]], Mdina is the site of an "ambush" where [[MI6]] intends to retrieve [[Alex Rider]]'s father John.		*In the 2007 novel ''[[Snakehead (novel)\|Snakehead]]'' by [[Anthony Horowitz]], Mdina is the site of an "ambush" where [[MI6]] intends to retrieve [[Alex Rider]]'s father John.
	*In the [[Game of Thrones (season 1)\|first season]] of [[HBO]]'s ''[[Game of Thrones]]'', Mdina was the filming location for the series' fictional capital city of King's Landing.<ref>{{cite web \|title=10 Game of Thrones Filming Locations in Malta and Gozo \|url=https://www.thewholeworldisaplayground.com/game-of-thrones-filming-locations-malta-gozo/ \|website=thewholeworldisaplayground.com \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220085112/https://www.thewholeworldisaplayground.com/game-of-thrones-filming-locations-malta-gozo/ \|archive-date=20 December 2019 \|date=2 October 2017}}</ref> More specifically, Mesquita Square is the shooting location of ~~Littlefinger’s~~ brothel and the ~~town’s~~ baroque gate can be seen in the first season (episode 3).<ref>{{Cite web\|last=Taskos\|first=Nikos\|date=2020-11-06\|title=The 31 best things to do in Mdina [with photos]\|url=https://www.mileswithvibes.com/mdina/best-things-to-do-in-mdina/\|access-date=2020-11-08\|website=Miles with Vibes\|language=en-GB}}</ref>		*In the [[Game of Thrones (season 1)\|first season]] of [[HBO]]'s ''[[Game of Thrones]]'', Mdina was the filming location for the series' fictional capital city of King's Landing.<ref>{{cite web \|title=10 Game of Thrones Filming Locations in Malta and Gozo \|url=https://www.thewholeworldisaplayground.com/game-of-thrones-filming-locations-malta-gozo/ \|website=thewholeworldisaplayground.com \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220085112/https://www.thewholeworldisaplayground.com/game-of-thrones-filming-locations-malta-gozo/ \|archive-date=20 December 2019 \|date=2 October 2017}}</ref> More specifically, Mesquita Square is the shooting location of Littlefinger's brothel and the town's baroque gate can be seen in the first season (episode 3).<ref>{{Cite web\|last=Taskos\|first=Nikos\|date=2020-11-06\|title=The 31 best things to do in Mdina [with photos]\|url=https://www.mileswithvibes.com/mdina/best-things-to-do-in-mdina/\|access-date=2020-11-08\|website=Miles with Vibes\|language=en-GB}}</ref>
	* The action of several chapters (21ff) of A.J. Hackwith's fantasy novel ''The Library of the Unwritten'' (2019) is set in Mdina; the city has a special status in that "Nothing not born of humankind - not angel or demon [...] - gets in without invitation from its residents" (p. 186).		* The action of several chapters (21ff) of A.J. Hackwith's fantasy novel ''The Library of the Unwritten'' (2019) is set in Mdina; the city has a special status in that "Nothing not born of humankind - not angel or demon [...] - gets in without invitation from its residents" (p. 186).

	== Notable people ==		== Notable people ==
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	{{Commons}}		{{Commons}}
	{{wikivoyage\|Mdina}}		{{wikivoyage\|Mdina}}

	===Citations===		===Citations===
	{{reflist\|30em}}		{{reflist\|30em}}

Monkbot: Task 20: replace {lang-??} templates with {langx|??} ‹See Tfd› (Replaced 4; ignored 1: Lang-grc-gre);

2024-10-26T16:31:05Z

Task 20: replace {lang-??} templates with {langx|??} ‹See Tfd› (Replaced 4; ignored 1: Lang-grc-gre);

← Previous revision		Revision as of 16:31, 26 October 2024
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	}}		}}

	'''Mdina''' ({{~~lang-~~mt\|L-Imdina}} {{IPA-mt\|lɪmˈdiːnɐ\|}}; {{~~Lang-~~it\|Medina}}), also known by its Italian epithets '''{{lang\|it\|Città Vecchia\|italics=no}}''' ("Old City") and '''{{lang\|it\|Città Notabile\|italics=no}}''' ("Notable City"), is a [[fortifications of Mdina\|fortified]] city in the [[Northern Region, Malta\|Northern Region]] of [[Malta]] which served as the island's former capital, from antiquity to the medieval period. The city is still confined within its walls, and has a population of 250.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014 \|url=https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|publisher=[[Government of Malta]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621211549/https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|archive-date=21 June 2015 \|date=16 May 2014 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>		'''Mdina''' ({{langx\|mt\|L-Imdina}} {{IPA-mt\|lɪmˈdiːnɐ\|}}; {{Langx\|it\|Medina}}), also known by its Italian epithets '''{{lang\|it\|Città Vecchia\|italics=no}}''' ("Old City") and '''{{lang\|it\|Città Notabile\|italics=no}}''' ("Notable City"), is a [[fortifications of Mdina\|fortified]] city in the [[Northern Region, Malta\|Northern Region]] of [[Malta]] which served as the island's former capital, from antiquity to the medieval period. The city is still confined within its walls, and has a population of 250.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014 \|url=https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|publisher=[[Government of Malta]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621211549/https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|archive-date=21 June 2015 \|date=16 May 2014 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>

	A natural [[redoubt]], the area of the city has been inhabited since prehistory. A [[Phoenicia]]n [[Phoenician colonization\|colony]] known as Ann ({{~~lang-~~phn\|𐤀𐤍𐤍‎}}, {{sc\|ʾnn}}) was established around the {{nowrap\|8th century BC,}} sharing its name with the island and presumably acting as its capital. During the [[Punic Wars]], the town was acquired by the [[Roman Republic\|Romans]] and renamed [[Melita (ancient city)\|Melita]] ({{lang-grc-gre\|Μελίτη}}, {{translit\|grc\|Melítē}}) after the Greek and [[Latin language\|Latin]] name for the island, probably taken from the Punic port at [[Cospicua]] on the [[Grand Harbour]]. Greco-Roman Melite was larger than present-day Mdina. It was reduced to its present size during the period of [[Byzantine Malta\|Byzantine]] or [[History of Islam in southern Italy\|Arab rule]]. Following a 9th century massacre, the area was largely uninhabited until its refounding in the 11th century as {{Transliteration\|ar\|Madīnah}}, from which the town's current name derives. Mdina then continued to serve as the capital of Malta until the arrival of the [[Knights Hospitaller\|Order of St. John]] in 1530, who used [[Birgu]] instead. Mdina experienced a period of decline over the following centuries, although it saw a revival in the early 18th century during which several [[Baroque architecture\|Baroque]] buildings were erected.		A natural [[redoubt]], the area of the city has been inhabited since prehistory. A [[Phoenicia]]n [[Phoenician colonization\|colony]] known as Ann ({{langx\|phn\|𐤀𐤍𐤍‎}}, {{sc\|ʾnn}}) was established around the {{nowrap\|8th century BC,}} sharing its name with the island and presumably acting as its capital. During the [[Punic Wars]], the town was acquired by the [[Roman Republic\|Romans]] and renamed [[Melita (ancient city)\|Melita]] ({{lang-grc-gre\|Μελίτη}}, {{translit\|grc\|Melítē}}) after the Greek and [[Latin language\|Latin]] name for the island, probably taken from the Punic port at [[Cospicua]] on the [[Grand Harbour]]. Greco-Roman Melite was larger than present-day Mdina. It was reduced to its present size during the period of [[Byzantine Malta\|Byzantine]] or [[History of Islam in southern Italy\|Arab rule]]. Following a 9th century massacre, the area was largely uninhabited until its refounding in the 11th century as {{Transliteration\|ar\|Madīnah}}, from which the town's current name derives. Mdina then continued to serve as the capital of Malta until the arrival of the [[Knights Hospitaller\|Order of St. John]] in 1530, who used [[Birgu]] instead. Mdina experienced a period of decline over the following centuries, although it saw a revival in the early 18th century during which several [[Baroque architecture\|Baroque]] buildings were erected.

	Largely maintaining its medieval character, Mdina remained the centre of the Maltese nobility and religious authorities and property continues to largely be passed down from families and from generation to generation. It never regained its pre-1530 importance, however, giving rise to the popular nickname the "Silent City" by both locals and visitors.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Mdina & Rabat \|url=https://www.visitmalta.com/en/mdina-and-rabat \|website=VisitMalta \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613050338/https://www.visitmalta.com/en/mdina-and-rabat \|archive-date=13 June 2020}}</ref> Mdina is on the tentative list of [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]s, and it is now one of the main tourist attractions in Malta.<ref>{{cite web \|last1=Blasi \|first1=Abigail \|title=Top 10 day trips in Malta \|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/malta/travel-tips-and-articles/top-10-day-trips-in-malta \|publisher=[[Lonely Planet]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010132218/https://www.lonelyplanet.com/malta/travel-tips-and-articles/top-10-day-trips-in-malta \|archive-date=10 October 2015 \|date=29 September 2014 }}</ref>		Largely maintaining its medieval character, Mdina remained the centre of the Maltese nobility and religious authorities and property continues to largely be passed down from families and from generation to generation. It never regained its pre-1530 importance, however, giving rise to the popular nickname the "Silent City" by both locals and visitors.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Mdina & Rabat \|url=https://www.visitmalta.com/en/mdina-and-rabat \|website=VisitMalta \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613050338/https://www.visitmalta.com/en/mdina-and-rabat \|archive-date=13 June 2020}}</ref> Mdina is on the tentative list of [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]s, and it is now one of the main tourist attractions in Malta.<ref>{{cite web \|last1=Blasi \|first1=Abigail \|title=Top 10 day trips in Malta \|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/malta/travel-tips-and-articles/top-10-day-trips-in-malta \|publisher=[[Lonely Planet]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010132218/https://www.lonelyplanet.com/malta/travel-tips-and-articles/top-10-day-trips-in-malta \|archive-date=10 October 2015 \|date=29 September 2014 }}</ref>
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	===Present day===		===Present day===
	Today, Mdina is one of Malta's major tourist attractions, hosting about 1.5 million tourists a year.<ref>{{Cite journal \|last=Cassar \|first=George \|date=2015 \|title=Sustainable Tourism Management - A Collection of Studies from Malta, Lebanon and Jordan \|url=https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/89080/1/Tourism,%20globalisation%20and%20identify.pdf \|journal=Heland \|isbn=978-99957-886-2-9}}</ref> No [[Automobile\|cars]] (other than a limited number of residents, emergency vehicles, wedding cars and horses) are allowed in Mdina, partly why it has earned the nickname 'the Silent City' ({{~~Lang-~~mt\|Il-Belt Siekta}}). The city displays an unusual mix of [[Norman architecture\|Norman]] and [[Baroque]] [[architecture]], including several palaces, most of which serve as private homes.		Today, Mdina is one of Malta's major tourist attractions, hosting about 1.5 million tourists a year.<ref>{{Cite journal \|last=Cassar \|first=George \|date=2015 \|title=Sustainable Tourism Management - A Collection of Studies from Malta, Lebanon and Jordan \|url=https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/89080/1/Tourism,%20globalisation%20and%20identify.pdf \|journal=Heland \|isbn=978-99957-886-2-9}}</ref> No [[Automobile\|cars]] (other than a limited number of residents, emergency vehicles, wedding cars and horses) are allowed in Mdina, partly why it has earned the nickname 'the Silent City' ({{Langx\|mt\|Il-Belt Siekta}}). The city displays an unusual mix of [[Norman architecture\|Norman]] and [[Baroque]] [[architecture]], including several palaces, most of which serve as private homes.

	An extensive restoration of the city walls was undertaken between 2008 and 2016.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Mdina bastions restoration works completed\|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/63774/mdina_bastions_restoration_works_completed\|work=[[Malta Today]]\|date=5 April 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424103722/http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/63774/mdina_bastions_restoration_works_completed\|archive-date=24 April 2016}}</ref>		An extensive restoration of the city walls was undertaken between 2008 and 2016.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Mdina bastions restoration works completed\|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/63774/mdina_bastions_restoration_works_completed\|work=[[Malta Today]]\|date=5 April 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424103722/http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/63774/mdina_bastions_restoration_works_completed\|archive-date=24 April 2016}}</ref>

Felleno: Removing useless and contradictory information.

2024-10-26T07:21:27Z

Removing useless and contradictory information.

← Previous revision		Revision as of 07:21, 26 October 2024
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	\| elevation_m =		\| elevation_m =
	\| elevation_footnotes =		\| elevation_footnotes =
	\| population_total = ~~93 {{cn\|date=September 2023}}~~		\| population_total = 250
	\| population_as_of = Aug. 2023		\| population_as_of = Aug. 2023
	\| population_footnotes =		\| population_footnotes =
Line 74:		Line 74:
	}}		}}

	'''Mdina''' ({{lang-mt\|L-Imdina}} {{IPA-mt\|lɪmˈdiːnɐ\|}}; {{Lang-it\|Medina}}), also known by its Italian epithets '''{{lang\|it\|Città Vecchia\|italics=no}}''' ("Old City") and '''{{lang\|it\|Città Notabile\|italics=no}}''' ("Notable City"), is a [[fortifications of Mdina\|fortified]] city in the [[Northern Region, Malta\|Northern Region]] of [[Malta]] which served as the island's former capital, from antiquity to the medieval period. The city is still confined within its walls, and has a population of 250~~, but it is contiguous with the town of [[Rabat, Malta\|Rabat]], which takes its name from the [[Medina quarter\|Arabic word for suburb]], and has a population of over 11,000 (as of March 2014)~~.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014 \|url=https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|publisher=[[Government of Malta]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621211549/https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|archive-date=21 June 2015 \|date=16 May 2014 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>		'''Mdina''' ({{lang-mt\|L-Imdina}} {{IPA-mt\|lɪmˈdiːnɐ\|}}; {{Lang-it\|Medina}}), also known by its Italian epithets '''{{lang\|it\|Città Vecchia\|italics=no}}''' ("Old City") and '''{{lang\|it\|Città Notabile\|italics=no}}''' ("Notable City"), is a [[fortifications of Mdina\|fortified]] city in the [[Northern Region, Malta\|Northern Region]] of [[Malta]] which served as the island's former capital, from antiquity to the medieval period. The city is still confined within its walls, and has a population of 250.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014 \|url=https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|publisher=[[Government of Malta]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621211549/https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|archive-date=21 June 2015 \|date=16 May 2014 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>

	A natural [[redoubt]], the area of the city has been inhabited since prehistory. A [[Phoenicia]]n [[Phoenician colonization\|colony]] known as Ann ({{lang-phn\|𐤀𐤍𐤍‎}}, {{sc\|ʾnn}}) was established around the {{nowrap\|8th century BC,}} sharing its name with the island and presumably acting as its capital. During the [[Punic Wars]], the town was acquired by the [[Roman Republic\|Romans]] and renamed [[Melita (ancient city)\|Melita]] ({{lang-grc-gre\|Μελίτη}}, {{translit\|grc\|Melítē}}) after the Greek and [[Latin language\|Latin]] name for the island, probably taken from the Punic port at [[Cospicua]] on the [[Grand Harbour]]. Greco-Roman Melite was larger than present-day Mdina. It was reduced to its present size during the period of [[Byzantine Malta\|Byzantine]] or [[History of Islam in southern Italy\|Arab rule]]. Following a 9th century massacre, the area was largely uninhabited until its refounding in the 11th century as {{Transliteration\|ar\|Madīnah}}, from which the town's current name derives. Mdina then continued to serve as the capital of Malta until the arrival of the [[Knights Hospitaller\|Order of St. John]] in 1530, who used [[Birgu]] instead. Mdina experienced a period of decline over the following centuries, although it saw a revival in the early 18th century during which several [[Baroque architecture\|Baroque]] buildings were erected.		A natural [[redoubt]], the area of the city has been inhabited since prehistory. A [[Phoenicia]]n [[Phoenician colonization\|colony]] known as Ann ({{lang-phn\|𐤀𐤍𐤍‎}}, {{sc\|ʾnn}}) was established around the {{nowrap\|8th century BC,}} sharing its name with the island and presumably acting as its capital. During the [[Punic Wars]], the town was acquired by the [[Roman Republic\|Romans]] and renamed [[Melita (ancient city)\|Melita]] ({{lang-grc-gre\|Μελίτη}}, {{translit\|grc\|Melítē}}) after the Greek and [[Latin language\|Latin]] name for the island, probably taken from the Punic port at [[Cospicua]] on the [[Grand Harbour]]. Greco-Roman Melite was larger than present-day Mdina. It was reduced to its present size during the period of [[Byzantine Malta\|Byzantine]] or [[History of Islam in southern Italy\|Arab rule]]. Following a 9th century massacre, the area was largely uninhabited until its refounding in the 11th century as {{Transliteration\|ar\|Madīnah}}, from which the town's current name derives. Mdina then continued to serve as the capital of Malta until the arrival of the [[Knights Hospitaller\|Order of St. John]] in 1530, who used [[Birgu]] instead. Mdina experienced a period of decline over the following centuries, although it saw a revival in the early 18th century during which several [[Baroque architecture\|Baroque]] buildings were erected.

R Prazeres: Reverted 1 edit by 46.11.244.201 (talk) to last revision by R Prazeres

2024-10-08T15:16:14Z

Reverted 1 edit by 46.11.244.201 (talk) to last revision by R Prazeres

← Previous revision		Revision as of 15:16, 8 October 2024
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	{{Redirect\|Silent City}}		{{Redirect\|Silent City}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=January 2015}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=January 2015}}
	{{~~there is a giant shopping mallInfobox~~ settlement		{{Infobox settlement
	\| name = Mdina		\| name = Mdina
	\| native_name = {{native name\|mt\|L-Imdina}}		\| native_name = {{native name\|mt\|L-Imdina}}
Line 20:		Line 20:
	\| image5 = Natural History Museum Mdina (6810109710).jpg		\| image5 = Natural History Museum Mdina (6810109710).jpg
	}}		}}
	\| image_caption = From top: Skyline, [[St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina\|Cathedral]], [[Mdina Gate\|Main Gate]], [[Palazzo Santa Sofia]], [it ~~is the most modern place in Malta~~		\| image_caption = From top: Skyline, [[St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina\|Cathedral]], [[Mdina Gate\|Main Gate]], [[Palazzo Santa Sofia]], [[Palazzo Vilhena]]
	\| image_flag = Flag of Mdina, Malta.svg		\| image_flag = Flag of Mdina, Malta.svg
	\| image_shield = Mdina coa.svg		\| image_shield = Mdina coa.svg

46.11.244.201: Added links

2024-10-08T08:13:53Z

Added links

← Previous revision		Revision as of 08:13, 8 October 2024
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	{{Redirect\|Silent City}}		{{Redirect\|Silent City}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=January 2015}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=January 2015}}
	{{~~Infobox~~ settlement		{{there is a giant shopping mallInfobox settlement
	\| name = Mdina		\| name = Mdina
	\| native_name = {{native name\|mt\|L-Imdina}}		\| native_name = {{native name\|mt\|L-Imdina}}
Line 20:		Line 20:
	\| image5 = Natural History Museum Mdina (6810109710).jpg		\| image5 = Natural History Museum Mdina (6810109710).jpg
	}}		}}
	\| image_caption = From top: Skyline, [[St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina\|Cathedral]], [[Mdina Gate\|Main Gate]], [[Palazzo Santa Sofia]], [~~[Palazzo~~ ~~Vilhena]]~~		\| image_caption = From top: Skyline, [[St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina\|Cathedral]], [[Mdina Gate\|Main Gate]], [[Palazzo Santa Sofia]], [it is the most modern place in Malta
	\| image_flag = Flag of Mdina, Malta.svg		\| image_flag = Flag of Mdina, Malta.svg
	\| image_shield = Mdina coa.svg		\| image_shield = Mdina coa.svg

R Prazeres: consistent bold for both alternate names

2024-09-15T01:15:24Z

consistent bold for both alternate names

← Previous revision		Revision as of 01:15, 15 September 2024
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	}}		}}

	'''Mdina''' ({{lang-mt\|L-Imdina}} {{IPA-mt\|lɪmˈdiːnɐ\|}}; {{Lang-it\|Medina}}), also known by its Italian epithets {{lang\|it\|Città Vecchia\|italics=no}} ("Old City") and '''{{lang\|it\|Città Notabile\|italics=no}}''' ("Notable City"), is a [[fortifications of Mdina\|fortified]] city in the [[Northern Region, Malta\|Northern Region]] of [[Malta]] which served as the island's former capital, from antiquity to the medieval period. The city is still confined within its walls, and has a population of 250, but it is contiguous with the town of [[Rabat, Malta\|Rabat]], which takes its name from the [[Medina quarter\|Arabic word for suburb]], and has a population of over 11,000 (as of March 2014).<ref>{{cite web \|title=Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014 \|url=https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|publisher=[[Government of Malta]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621211549/https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|archive-date=21 June 2015 \|date=16 May 2014 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>		'''Mdina''' ({{lang-mt\|L-Imdina}} {{IPA-mt\|lɪmˈdiːnɐ\|}}; {{Lang-it\|Medina}}), also known by its Italian epithets '''{{lang\|it\|Città Vecchia\|italics=no}}''' ("Old City") and '''{{lang\|it\|Città Notabile\|italics=no}}''' ("Notable City"), is a [[fortifications of Mdina\|fortified]] city in the [[Northern Region, Malta\|Northern Region]] of [[Malta]] which served as the island's former capital, from antiquity to the medieval period. The city is still confined within its walls, and has a population of 250, but it is contiguous with the town of [[Rabat, Malta\|Rabat]], which takes its name from the [[Medina quarter\|Arabic word for suburb]], and has a population of over 11,000 (as of March 2014).<ref>{{cite web \|title=Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014 \|url=https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|publisher=[[Government of Malta]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621211549/https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|archive-date=21 June 2015 \|date=16 May 2014 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>

	A natural [[redoubt]], the area of the city has been inhabited since prehistory. A [[Phoenicia]]n [[Phoenician colonization\|colony]] known as Ann ({{lang-phn\|𐤀𐤍𐤍‎}}, {{sc\|ʾnn}}) was established around the {{nowrap\|8th century BC,}} sharing its name with the island and presumably acting as its capital. During the [[Punic Wars]], the town was acquired by the [[Roman Republic\|Romans]] and renamed [[Melita (ancient city)\|Melita]] ({{lang-grc-gre\|Μελίτη}}, {{translit\|grc\|Melítē}}) after the Greek and [[Latin language\|Latin]] name for the island, probably taken from the Punic port at [[Cospicua]] on the [[Grand Harbour]]. Greco-Roman Melite was larger than present-day Mdina. It was reduced to its present size during the period of [[Byzantine Malta\|Byzantine]] or [[History of Islam in southern Italy\|Arab rule]]. Following a 9th century massacre, the area was largely uninhabited until its refounding in the 11th century as {{Transliteration\|ar\|Madīnah}}, from which the town's current name derives. Mdina then continued to serve as the capital of Malta until the arrival of the [[Knights Hospitaller\|Order of St. John]] in 1530, who used [[Birgu]] instead. Mdina experienced a period of decline over the following centuries, although it saw a revival in the early 18th century during which several [[Baroque architecture\|Baroque]] buildings were erected.		A natural [[redoubt]], the area of the city has been inhabited since prehistory. A [[Phoenicia]]n [[Phoenician colonization\|colony]] known as Ann ({{lang-phn\|𐤀𐤍𐤍‎}}, {{sc\|ʾnn}}) was established around the {{nowrap\|8th century BC,}} sharing its name with the island and presumably acting as its capital. During the [[Punic Wars]], the town was acquired by the [[Roman Republic\|Romans]] and renamed [[Melita (ancient city)\|Melita]] ({{lang-grc-gre\|Μελίτη}}, {{translit\|grc\|Melítē}}) after the Greek and [[Latin language\|Latin]] name for the island, probably taken from the Punic port at [[Cospicua]] on the [[Grand Harbour]]. Greco-Roman Melite was larger than present-day Mdina. It was reduced to its present size during the period of [[Byzantine Malta\|Byzantine]] or [[History of Islam in southern Italy\|Arab rule]]. Following a 9th century massacre, the area was largely uninhabited until its refounding in the 11th century as {{Transliteration\|ar\|Madīnah}}, from which the town's current name derives. Mdina then continued to serve as the capital of Malta until the arrival of the [[Knights Hospitaller\|Order of St. John]] in 1530, who used [[Birgu]] instead. Mdina experienced a period of decline over the following centuries, although it saw a revival in the early 18th century during which several [[Baroque architecture\|Baroque]] buildings were erected.

R Prazeres: Reverted good faith edits by Prosnu (talk): Not relevant for the opening sentence; etymology is discussed in first section

2024-09-15T01:13:55Z

Reverted good faith edits by Prosnu (talk): Not relevant for the opening sentence; etymology is discussed in first section

← Previous revision		Revision as of 01:13, 15 September 2024
Line 74:		Line 74:
	}}		}}

	'''Mdina''' ({{lang-mt\|L-Imdina}} {{IPA-mt\|lɪmˈdiːnɐ\|}}; ~~{{Lang-ar\|المدينة\|lit=The City\|translit=al-Madīnah}},~~ {{Lang-it\|Medina}}), also known by its Italian epithets {{lang\|it\|Città Vecchia\|italics=no}} ("Old City") and '''{{lang\|it\|Città Notabile\|italics=no}}''' ("Notable City"), is a [[fortifications of Mdina\|fortified]] city in the [[Northern Region, Malta\|Northern Region]] of [[Malta]] which served as the island's former capital, from antiquity to the medieval period. The city is still confined within its walls, and has a population of 250, but it is contiguous with the town of [[Rabat, Malta\|Rabat]], which takes its name from the [[Medina quarter\|Arabic word for suburb]], and has a population of over 11,000 (as of March 2014).<ref>{{cite web \|title=Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014 \|url=https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|publisher=[[Government of Malta]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621211549/https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|archive-date=21 June 2015 \|date=16 May 2014 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>		'''Mdina''' ({{lang-mt\|L-Imdina}} {{IPA-mt\|lɪmˈdiːnɐ\|}}; {{Lang-it\|Medina}}), also known by its Italian epithets {{lang\|it\|Città Vecchia\|italics=no}} ("Old City") and '''{{lang\|it\|Città Notabile\|italics=no}}''' ("Notable City"), is a [[fortifications of Mdina\|fortified]] city in the [[Northern Region, Malta\|Northern Region]] of [[Malta]] which served as the island's former capital, from antiquity to the medieval period. The city is still confined within its walls, and has a population of 250, but it is contiguous with the town of [[Rabat, Malta\|Rabat]], which takes its name from the [[Medina quarter\|Arabic word for suburb]], and has a population of over 11,000 (as of March 2014).<ref>{{cite web \|title=Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014 \|url=https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|publisher=[[Government of Malta]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621211549/https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|archive-date=21 June 2015 \|date=16 May 2014 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>

	A natural [[redoubt]], the area of the city has been inhabited since prehistory. A [[Phoenicia]]n [[Phoenician colonization\|colony]] known as Ann ({{lang-phn\|𐤀𐤍𐤍‎}}, {{sc\|ʾnn}}) was established around the {{nowrap\|8th century BC,}} sharing its name with the island and presumably acting as its capital. During the [[Punic Wars]], the town was acquired by the [[Roman Republic\|Romans]] and renamed [[Melita (ancient city)\|Melita]] ({{lang-grc-gre\|Μελίτη}}, {{translit\|grc\|Melítē}}) after the Greek and [[Latin language\|Latin]] name for the island, probably taken from the Punic port at [[Cospicua]] on the [[Grand Harbour]]. Greco-Roman Melite was larger than present-day Mdina. It was reduced to its present size during the period of [[Byzantine Malta\|Byzantine]] or [[History of Islam in southern Italy\|Arab rule]]. Following a 9th century massacre, the area was largely uninhabited until its refounding in the 11th century as {{Transliteration\|ar\|Madīnah}}, from which the town's current name derives. Mdina then continued to serve as the capital of Malta until the arrival of the [[Knights Hospitaller\|Order of St. John]] in 1530, who used [[Birgu]] instead. Mdina experienced a period of decline over the following centuries, although it saw a revival in the early 18th century during which several [[Baroque architecture\|Baroque]] buildings were erected.		A natural [[redoubt]], the area of the city has been inhabited since prehistory. A [[Phoenicia]]n [[Phoenician colonization\|colony]] known as Ann ({{lang-phn\|𐤀𐤍𐤍‎}}, {{sc\|ʾnn}}) was established around the {{nowrap\|8th century BC,}} sharing its name with the island and presumably acting as its capital. During the [[Punic Wars]], the town was acquired by the [[Roman Republic\|Romans]] and renamed [[Melita (ancient city)\|Melita]] ({{lang-grc-gre\|Μελίτη}}, {{translit\|grc\|Melítē}}) after the Greek and [[Latin language\|Latin]] name for the island, probably taken from the Punic port at [[Cospicua]] on the [[Grand Harbour]]. Greco-Roman Melite was larger than present-day Mdina. It was reduced to its present size during the period of [[Byzantine Malta\|Byzantine]] or [[History of Islam in southern Italy\|Arab rule]]. Following a 9th century massacre, the area was largely uninhabited until its refounding in the 11th century as {{Transliteration\|ar\|Madīnah}}, from which the town's current name derives. Mdina then continued to serve as the capital of Malta until the arrival of the [[Knights Hospitaller\|Order of St. John]] in 1530, who used [[Birgu]] instead. Mdina experienced a period of decline over the following centuries, although it saw a revival in the early 18th century during which several [[Baroque architecture\|Baroque]] buildings were erected.

Prosnu at 00:07, 15 September 2024

2024-09-15T00:07:22Z

← Previous revision		Revision as of 00:07, 15 September 2024
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	'''Mdina''' ({{lang-mt\|L-Imdina}} {{IPA-mt\|lɪmˈdiːnɐ\|}}; {{Lang-it\|Medina}}), also known by its Italian epithets {{lang\|it\|Città Vecchia\|italics=no}} ("Old City") and '''{{lang\|it\|Città Notabile\|italics=no}}''' ("Notable City"), is a [[fortifications of Mdina\|fortified]] city in the [[Northern Region, Malta\|Northern Region]] of [[Malta]] which served as the island's former capital, from antiquity to the medieval period. The city is still confined within its walls, and has a population of 250, but it is contiguous with the town of [[Rabat, Malta\|Rabat]], which takes its name from the [[Medina quarter\|Arabic word for suburb]], and has a population of over 11,000 (as of March 2014).<ref>{{cite web \|title=Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014 \|url=https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|publisher=[[Government of Malta]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621211549/https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|archive-date=21 June 2015 \|date=16 May 2014 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>		'''Mdina''' ({{lang-mt\|L-Imdina}} {{IPA-mt\|lɪmˈdiːnɐ\|}}; {{Lang-ar\|المدينة\|lit=The City\|translit=al-Madīnah}}, {{Lang-it\|Medina}}), also known by its Italian epithets {{lang\|it\|Città Vecchia\|italics=no}} ("Old City") and '''{{lang\|it\|Città Notabile\|italics=no}}''' ("Notable City"), is a [[fortifications of Mdina\|fortified]] city in the [[Northern Region, Malta\|Northern Region]] of [[Malta]] which served as the island's former capital, from antiquity to the medieval period. The city is still confined within its walls, and has a population of 250, but it is contiguous with the town of [[Rabat, Malta\|Rabat]], which takes its name from the [[Medina quarter\|Arabic word for suburb]], and has a population of over 11,000 (as of March 2014).<ref>{{cite web \|title=Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014 \|url=https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|publisher=[[Government of Malta]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621211549/https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|archive-date=21 June 2015 \|date=16 May 2014 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>

	A natural [[redoubt]], the area of the city has been inhabited since prehistory. A [[Phoenicia]]n [[Phoenician colonization\|colony]] known as Ann ({{lang-phn\|𐤀𐤍𐤍‎}}, {{sc\|ʾnn}}) was established around the {{nowrap\|8th century BC,}} sharing its name with the island and presumably acting as its capital. During the [[Punic Wars]], the town was acquired by the [[Roman Republic\|Romans]] and renamed [[Melita (ancient city)\|Melita]] ({{lang-grc-gre\|Μελίτη}}, {{translit\|grc\|Melítē}}) after the Greek and [[Latin language\|Latin]] name for the island, probably taken from the Punic port at [[Cospicua]] on the [[Grand Harbour]]. Greco-Roman Melite was larger than present-day Mdina. It was reduced to its present size during the period of [[Byzantine Malta\|Byzantine]] or [[History of Islam in southern Italy\|Arab rule]]. Following a 9th century massacre, the area was largely uninhabited until its refounding in the 11th century as {{Transliteration\|ar\|Madīnah}}, from which the town's current name derives. Mdina then continued to serve as the capital of Malta until the arrival of the [[Knights Hospitaller\|Order of St. John]] in 1530, who used [[Birgu]] instead. Mdina experienced a period of decline over the following centuries, although it saw a revival in the early 18th century during which several [[Baroque architecture\|Baroque]] buildings were erected.		A natural [[redoubt]], the area of the city has been inhabited since prehistory. A [[Phoenicia]]n [[Phoenician colonization\|colony]] known as Ann ({{lang-phn\|𐤀𐤍𐤍‎}}, {{sc\|ʾnn}}) was established around the {{nowrap\|8th century BC,}} sharing its name with the island and presumably acting as its capital. During the [[Punic Wars]], the town was acquired by the [[Roman Republic\|Romans]] and renamed [[Melita (ancient city)\|Melita]] ({{lang-grc-gre\|Μελίτη}}, {{translit\|grc\|Melítē}}) after the Greek and [[Latin language\|Latin]] name for the island, probably taken from the Punic port at [[Cospicua]] on the [[Grand Harbour]]. Greco-Roman Melite was larger than present-day Mdina. It was reduced to its present size during the period of [[Byzantine Malta\|Byzantine]] or [[History of Islam in southern Italy\|Arab rule]]. Following a 9th century massacre, the area was largely uninhabited until its refounding in the 11th century as {{Transliteration\|ar\|Madīnah}}, from which the town's current name derives. Mdina then continued to serve as the capital of Malta until the arrival of the [[Knights Hospitaller\|Order of St. John]] in 1530, who used [[Birgu]] instead. Mdina experienced a period of decline over the following centuries, although it saw a revival in the early 18th century during which several [[Baroque architecture\|Baroque]] buildings were erected.

Liayobi at 09:12, 23 August 2024

2024-08-23T09:12:45Z

← Previous revision		Revision as of 09:12, 23 August 2024
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	'''Mdina''' ({{lang-mt\|L-Imdina}} {{IPA-mt\|lɪmˈdiːnɐ\|}}; {{Lang-it\|Medina}}), also known by its Italian epithets {{lang\|it\|Città Vecchia\|italics=no}} ("Old City") and '''{{lang\|it\|Città Notabile\|italics=no}}''' ("Notable City"), is a [[fortifications of Mdina\|fortified]] city in the [[Northern Region, Malta\|Northern Region]] of [[Malta]] which served as the island's capital from antiquity to the medieval period. The city is still confined within its walls, and has a population of 250, but it is contiguous with the town of [[Rabat, Malta\|Rabat]], which takes its name from the [[Medina quarter\|Arabic word for suburb]], and has a population of over 11,000 (as of March 2014).<ref>{{cite web \|title=Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014 \|url=https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|publisher=[[Government of Malta]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621211549/https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|archive-date=21 June 2015 \|date=16 May 2014 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>		'''Mdina''' ({{lang-mt\|L-Imdina}} {{IPA-mt\|lɪmˈdiːnɐ\|}}; {{Lang-it\|Medina}}), also known by its Italian epithets {{lang\|it\|Città Vecchia\|italics=no}} ("Old City") and '''{{lang\|it\|Città Notabile\|italics=no}}''' ("Notable City"), is a [[fortifications of Mdina\|fortified]] city in the [[Northern Region, Malta\|Northern Region]] of [[Malta]] which served as the island's former capital, from antiquity to the medieval period. The city is still confined within its walls, and has a population of 250, but it is contiguous with the town of [[Rabat, Malta\|Rabat]], which takes its name from the [[Medina quarter\|Arabic word for suburb]], and has a population of over 11,000 (as of March 2014).<ref>{{cite web \|title=Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014 \|url=https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|publisher=[[Government of Malta]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621211549/https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|archive-date=21 June 2015 \|date=16 May 2014 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>

	A natural redoubt, the area of the city has been inhabited since prehistory. A [[Phoenicia]]n [[Phoenician colonization\|colony]] known as Ann ({{lang-phn\|𐤀𐤍𐤍‎}}, {{sc\|ʾnn}}) was established around the {{nowrap\|8th century BC,}} sharing its name with the island and presumably acting as its capital. During the [[Punic Wars]], the town was acquired by the [[Roman Republic\|Romans]] and renamed [[Melita (ancient city)\|Melita]] ({{lang-grc-gre\|Μελίτη}}, {{translit\|grc\|Melítē}}) after the Greek and [[Latin language\|Latin]] name for the island, probably taken from the Punic port at [[Cospicua]] on the [[Grand Harbour]]. Greco-Roman Melite was larger than present-day Mdina. It was reduced to its present size during the period of [[Byzantine Malta\|Byzantine]] or [[History of Islam in southern Italy\|Arab rule]]. Following a 9th century massacre, the area was largely uninhabited until its refounding in the 11th century as {{Transliteration\|ar\|Madīnah}}, from which the town's current name derives. Mdina then continued to serve as the capital of Malta until the arrival of the [[Knights Hospitaller\|Order of St. John]] in 1530, who used [[Birgu]] instead. Mdina experienced a period of decline over the following centuries, although it saw a revival in the early 18th century during which several [[Baroque architecture\|Baroque]] buildings were erected.		A natural [[redoubt]], the area of the city has been inhabited since prehistory. A [[Phoenicia]]n [[Phoenician colonization\|colony]] known as Ann ({{lang-phn\|𐤀𐤍𐤍‎}}, {{sc\|ʾnn}}) was established around the {{nowrap\|8th century BC,}} sharing its name with the island and presumably acting as its capital. During the [[Punic Wars]], the town was acquired by the [[Roman Republic\|Romans]] and renamed [[Melita (ancient city)\|Melita]] ({{lang-grc-gre\|Μελίτη}}, {{translit\|grc\|Melítē}}) after the Greek and [[Latin language\|Latin]] name for the island, probably taken from the Punic port at [[Cospicua]] on the [[Grand Harbour]]. Greco-Roman Melite was larger than present-day Mdina. It was reduced to its present size during the period of [[Byzantine Malta\|Byzantine]] or [[History of Islam in southern Italy\|Arab rule]]. Following a 9th century massacre, the area was largely uninhabited until its refounding in the 11th century as {{Transliteration\|ar\|Madīnah}}, from which the town's current name derives. Mdina then continued to serve as the capital of Malta until the arrival of the [[Knights Hospitaller\|Order of St. John]] in 1530, who used [[Birgu]] instead. Mdina experienced a period of decline over the following centuries, although it saw a revival in the early 18th century during which several [[Baroque architecture\|Baroque]] buildings were erected.

	Largely maintaining its medieval character, Mdina remained the centre of the Maltese nobility and religious authorities and property continues to largely be passed down from families and from generation to generation. It never regained its pre-1530 importance, however, giving rise to the popular nickname the "Silent City" by both locals and visitors.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Mdina & Rabat \|url=https://www.visitmalta.com/en/mdina-and-rabat \|website=VisitMalta \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613050338/https://www.visitmalta.com/en/mdina-and-rabat \|archive-date=13 June 2020}}</ref> Mdina is on the tentative list of [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]s, and it is now one of the main tourist attractions in Malta.<ref>{{cite web \|last1=Blasi \|first1=Abigail \|title=Top 10 day trips in Malta \|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/malta/travel-tips-and-articles/top-10-day-trips-in-malta \|publisher=[[Lonely Planet]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010132218/https://www.lonelyplanet.com/malta/travel-tips-and-articles/top-10-day-trips-in-malta \|archive-date=10 October 2015 \|date=29 September 2014 }}</ref>		Largely maintaining its medieval character, Mdina remained the centre of the Maltese nobility and religious authorities and property continues to largely be passed down from families and from generation to generation. It never regained its pre-1530 importance, however, giving rise to the popular nickname the "Silent City" by both locals and visitors.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Mdina & Rabat \|url=https://www.visitmalta.com/en/mdina-and-rabat \|website=VisitMalta \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613050338/https://www.visitmalta.com/en/mdina-and-rabat \|archive-date=13 June 2020}}</ref> Mdina is on the tentative list of [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]s, and it is now one of the main tourist attractions in Malta.<ref>{{cite web \|last1=Blasi \|first1=Abigail \|title=Top 10 day trips in Malta \|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/malta/travel-tips-and-articles/top-10-day-trips-in-malta \|publisher=[[Lonely Planet]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010132218/https://www.lonelyplanet.com/malta/travel-tips-and-articles/top-10-day-trips-in-malta \|archive-date=10 October 2015 \|date=29 September 2014 }}</ref>
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	During the [[Great Siege of Malta]] in 1565, Mdina was the base of the Order's cavalry, which made occasional sorties on the invading Ottomans. On 7 August 1565, the cavalry attacked the unprotected Ottoman field hospital, which led to the invaders abandoning a major assault on the main fortifications in Birgu and [[Senglea]]. The Ottomans attempted to take Mdina in September so as to winter there, but abandoned their plans when the city fired its cannon inefficiently at a much longer range than normal, leading them to believe that it had ammunition to spare. After the siege, Maltese military engineer [[Girolamo Cassar]] drew up plans to reduce Mdina's size by half and turning it into a fortress, but these were never implemented due to protests by the city's nobles.<ref name="independent2015-06-15"/> The fortifications were again upgraded in the mid-17th century, when the large De Redin Bastion was built at the centre of the land front.<ref>{{cite web\|title=De Redin Bastion – Mdina\|url=http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1445.pdf\|website=National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands\|access-date=13 July 2015\|date=28 June 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714011656/http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1445.pdf\|archive-date=14 July 2015}}</ref>		During the [[Great Siege of Malta]] in 1565, Mdina was the base of the Order's cavalry, which made occasional sorties on the invading Ottomans. On 7 August 1565, the cavalry attacked the unprotected Ottoman field hospital, which led to the invaders abandoning a major assault on the main fortifications in Birgu and [[Senglea]]. The Ottomans attempted to take Mdina in September so as to winter there, but abandoned their plans when the city fired its cannon inefficiently at a much longer range than normal, leading them to believe that it had ammunition to spare. After the siege, Maltese military engineer [[Girolamo Cassar]] drew up plans to reduce Mdina's size by half and turning it into a fortress, but these were never implemented due to protests by the city's nobles.<ref name="independent2015-06-15"/> The fortifications were again upgraded in the mid-17th century, when the large De Redin Bastion was built at the centre of the land front.<ref>{{cite web\|title=De Redin Bastion – Mdina\|url=http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1445.pdf\|website=National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands\|access-date=13 July 2015\|date=28 June 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714011656/http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1445.pdf\|archive-date=14 July 2015}}</ref>

	Mdina suffered severe damage during the [[1693 Sicily earthquake]], although no casualties were reported the 13th-century [[St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina\|Cathedral of St. Paul]] was partially destroyed, and it was rebuilt by [[Lorenzo Gafà]] in the [[Baroque architecture\|Baroque style]] between 1697 and 1703.<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Montanaro Gauci\|first1=Gerald\|title=Mdina cathedral destroyed in the 1693 earthquake\|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150111/life-features/Mdina-cathedral-destroyed-in-the-1693-earthquake.551625\|work=[[Times of Malta]]\|date=11 January 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151213154924/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150111/life-features/Mdina-cathedral-destroyed-in-the-1693-earthquake.551625\|archive-date=13 December 2015}}</ref>		Mdina suffered severe damage during the [[1693 Sicily earthquake]]; although no casualties were reported, the 13th-century [[St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina\|Cathedral of St. Paul]] was partially destroyed, and it was rebuilt by [[Lorenzo Gafà]] in the [[Baroque architecture\|Baroque style]] between 1697 and 1703.<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Montanaro Gauci\|first1=Gerald\|title=Mdina cathedral destroyed in the 1693 earthquake\|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150111/life-features/Mdina-cathedral-destroyed-in-the-1693-earthquake.551625\|work=[[Times of Malta]]\|date=11 January 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151213154924/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150111/life-features/Mdina-cathedral-destroyed-in-the-1693-earthquake.551625\|archive-date=13 December 2015}}</ref>

	On 3 November 1722, newly elected Grand Master [[António Manoel de Vilhena]] issued orders for the restoration and renovation of Mdina.<ref>{{cite journal\|last1=De Lucca\|first1=Denis\|title=Mdina: Baroque town planning in 18th century Mdina\|journal=Heritage: An Encyclopedia of Maltese Culture and Civilization\|date=1979\|volume=1\|pages=21–25\|publisher=Midsea Books Ltd}}</ref> This renovation was entrusted to the French architect and military engineer [[Charles François de Mondion]], who introduced strong [[French Baroque architecture\|French Baroque]] elements into what was still a largely medieval city. At this point, large parts of the fortifications and the city entrance were completely rebuilt. The remains of the ''Castellu di la Chitati'' were demolished to make way for [[Palazzo Vilhena]], while the main gate was walled up and a new [[Mdina Gate]] was built nearby. Several public buildings were also built, including the [[Banca Giuratale (Mdina)\|Banca Giuratale]] and the [[Corte Capitanale]]. The last major addition to the Mdina fortifications was Despuig Bastion, which was completed in 1746.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Despuig Bastion – Mdina\|url=http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1448.pdf\|website=National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands\|date=28 June 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713220736/http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1448.pdf\|archive-date=13 July 2015}}</ref>		On 3 November 1722, newly elected Grand Master [[António Manoel de Vilhena]] issued orders for the restoration and renovation of Mdina.<ref>{{cite journal\|last1=De Lucca\|first1=Denis\|title=Mdina: Baroque town planning in 18th century Mdina\|journal=Heritage: An Encyclopedia of Maltese Culture and Civilization\|date=1979\|volume=1\|pages=21–25\|publisher=Midsea Books Ltd}}</ref> This renovation was entrusted to the French architect and military engineer [[Charles François de Mondion]], who introduced strong [[French Baroque architecture\|French Baroque]] elements into what was still a largely medieval city. At this point, large parts of the fortifications and the city entrance were completely rebuilt. The remains of the ''Castellu di la Chitati'' were demolished to make way for [[Palazzo Vilhena]], while the main gate was walled up and a new [[Mdina Gate]] was built nearby. Several public buildings were also built, including the [[Banca Giuratale (Mdina)\|Banca Giuratale]] and the [[Corte Capitanale]]. The last major addition to the Mdina fortifications was Despuig Bastion, which was completed in 1746.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Despuig Bastion – Mdina\|url=http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1448.pdf\|website=National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands\|date=28 June 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713220736/http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1448.pdf\|archive-date=13 July 2015}}</ref>
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	===Present day===		===Present day===
	Today, Mdina is one of Malta's major tourist attractions, hosting about 1,5 million tourists a year.<ref>{{Cite journal \|last=Cassar \|first=George \|date=2015 \|title=Sustainable Tourism Management - A Collection of Studies from Malta, Lebanon and Jordan \|url=https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/89080/1/Tourism,%20globalisation%20and%20identify.pdf \|journal=Heland \|isbn=978-99957-886-2-9}}</ref> No [[Automobile\|cars]] (other than a limited number of residents, emergency vehicles, wedding cars and horses) are allowed in Mdina, partly why it has earned the nickname 'the Silent City' ({{Lang-mt\|Il-Belt Siekta}}). The city displays an unusual mix of [[Norman architecture\|Norman]] and [[Baroque]] [[architecture]], including several palaces, most of which serve as private homes.		Today, Mdina is one of Malta's major tourist attractions, hosting about 1.5 million tourists a year.<ref>{{Cite journal \|last=Cassar \|first=George \|date=2015 \|title=Sustainable Tourism Management - A Collection of Studies from Malta, Lebanon and Jordan \|url=https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/89080/1/Tourism,%20globalisation%20and%20identify.pdf \|journal=Heland \|isbn=978-99957-886-2-9}}</ref> No [[Automobile\|cars]] (other than a limited number of residents, emergency vehicles, wedding cars and horses) are allowed in Mdina, partly why it has earned the nickname 'the Silent City' ({{Lang-mt\|Il-Belt Siekta}}). The city displays an unusual mix of [[Norman architecture\|Norman]] and [[Baroque]] [[architecture]], including several palaces, most of which serve as private homes.

	An extensive restoration of the city walls was undertaken between 2008 and 2016.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Mdina bastions restoration works completed\|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/63774/mdina_bastions_restoration_works_completed\|work=[[Malta Today]]\|date=5 April 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424103722/http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/63774/mdina_bastions_restoration_works_completed\|archive-date=24 April 2016}}</ref>		An extensive restoration of the city walls was undertaken between 2008 and 2016.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Mdina bastions restoration works completed\|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/63774/mdina_bastions_restoration_works_completed\|work=[[Malta Today]]\|date=5 April 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424103722/http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/63774/mdina_bastions_restoration_works_completed\|archive-date=24 April 2016}}</ref>

Canterbury Tail: Inappropriate bold, fails MOS:BOLD, not a redirect to this page.

2024-07-22T19:01:40Z

Inappropriate bold, fails MOS:BOLD, not a redirect to this page.

← Previous revision		Revision as of 19:01, 22 July 2024
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	}}		}}

	'''Mdina''' ({{lang-mt\|L-Imdina}} {{IPA-mt\|lɪmˈdiːnɐ\|}}; {{Lang-it\|Medina}}), also known by its Italian epithets ~~'''~~{{lang\|it\|Città Vecchia\|italics=no}}~~'''~~ ("Old City") and '''{{lang\|it\|Città Notabile\|italics=no}}''' ("Notable City"), is a [[fortifications of Mdina\|fortified]] city in the [[Northern Region, Malta\|Northern Region]] of [[Malta]] which served as the island's capital from antiquity to the medieval period. The city is still confined within its walls, and has a population of 250, but it is contiguous with the town of [[Rabat, Malta\|Rabat]], which takes its name from the [[Medina quarter\|Arabic word for suburb]], and has a population of over 11,000 (as of March 2014).<ref>{{cite web \|title=Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014 \|url=https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|publisher=[[Government of Malta]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621211549/https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|archive-date=21 June 2015 \|date=16 May 2014 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>		'''Mdina''' ({{lang-mt\|L-Imdina}} {{IPA-mt\|lɪmˈdiːnɐ\|}}; {{Lang-it\|Medina}}), also known by its Italian epithets {{lang\|it\|Città Vecchia\|italics=no}} ("Old City") and '''{{lang\|it\|Città Notabile\|italics=no}}''' ("Notable City"), is a [[fortifications of Mdina\|fortified]] city in the [[Northern Region, Malta\|Northern Region]] of [[Malta]] which served as the island's capital from antiquity to the medieval period. The city is still confined within its walls, and has a population of 250, but it is contiguous with the town of [[Rabat, Malta\|Rabat]], which takes its name from the [[Medina quarter\|Arabic word for suburb]], and has a population of over 11,000 (as of March 2014).<ref>{{cite web \|title=Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014 \|url=https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|publisher=[[Government of Malta]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621211549/https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|archive-date=21 June 2015 \|date=16 May 2014 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>

	A natural redoubt, the area of the city has been inhabited since prehistory. A [[Phoenicia]]n [[Phoenician colonization\|colony]] known as Ann ({{lang-phn\|𐤀𐤍𐤍‎}}, {{sc\|ʾnn}}) was established around the {{nowrap\|8th century BC,}} sharing its name with the island and presumably acting as its capital. During the [[Punic Wars]], the town was acquired by the [[Roman Republic\|Romans]] and renamed [[Melita (ancient city)\|Melita]] ({{lang-grc-gre\|Μελίτη}}, {{translit\|grc\|Melítē}}) after the Greek and [[Latin language\|Latin]] name for the island, probably taken from the Punic port at [[Cospicua]] on the [[Grand Harbour]]. Greco-Roman Melite was larger than present-day Mdina. It was reduced to its present size during the period of [[Byzantine Malta\|Byzantine]] or [[History of Islam in southern Italy\|Arab rule]]. Following a 9th century massacre, the area was largely uninhabited until its refounding in the 11th century as {{Transliteration\|ar\|Madīnah}}, from which the town's current name derives. Mdina then continued to serve as the capital of Malta until the arrival of the [[Knights Hospitaller\|Order of St. John]] in 1530, who used [[Birgu]] instead. Mdina experienced a period of decline over the following centuries, although it saw a revival in the early 18th century during which several [[Baroque architecture\|Baroque]] buildings were erected.		A natural redoubt, the area of the city has been inhabited since prehistory. A [[Phoenicia]]n [[Phoenician colonization\|colony]] known as Ann ({{lang-phn\|𐤀𐤍𐤍‎}}, {{sc\|ʾnn}}) was established around the {{nowrap\|8th century BC,}} sharing its name with the island and presumably acting as its capital. During the [[Punic Wars]], the town was acquired by the [[Roman Republic\|Romans]] and renamed [[Melita (ancient city)\|Melita]] ({{lang-grc-gre\|Μελίτη}}, {{translit\|grc\|Melítē}}) after the Greek and [[Latin language\|Latin]] name for the island, probably taken from the Punic port at [[Cospicua]] on the [[Grand Harbour]]. Greco-Roman Melite was larger than present-day Mdina. It was reduced to its present size during the period of [[Byzantine Malta\|Byzantine]] or [[History of Islam in southern Italy\|Arab rule]]. Following a 9th century massacre, the area was largely uninhabited until its refounding in the 11th century as {{Transliteration\|ar\|Madīnah}}, from which the town's current name derives. Mdina then continued to serve as the capital of Malta until the arrival of the [[Knights Hospitaller\|Order of St. John]] in 1530, who used [[Birgu]] instead. Mdina experienced a period of decline over the following centuries, although it saw a revival in the early 18th century during which several [[Baroque architecture\|Baroque]] buildings were erected.

← Previous revision		Revision as of 09:12, 23 August 2024
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	}}		}}

	'''Mdina''' ({{lang-mt\|L-Imdina}} {{IPA-mt\|lɪmˈdiːnɐ\|}}; {{Lang-it\|Medina}}), also known by its Italian epithets {{lang\|it\|Città Vecchia\|italics=no}} ("Old City") and '''{{lang\|it\|Città Notabile\|italics=no}}''' ("Notable City"), is a [[fortifications of Mdina\|fortified]] city in the [[Northern Region, Malta\|Northern Region]] of [[Malta]] which served as the island's capital from antiquity to the medieval period. The city is still confined within its walls, and has a population of 250, but it is contiguous with the town of [[Rabat, Malta\|Rabat]], which takes its name from the [[Medina quarter\|Arabic word for suburb]], and has a population of over 11,000 (as of March 2014).<ref>{{cite web \|title=Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014 \|url=https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|publisher=[[Government of Malta]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621211549/https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|archive-date=21 June 2015 \|date=16 May 2014 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>		'''Mdina''' ({{lang-mt\|L-Imdina}} {{IPA-mt\|lɪmˈdiːnɐ\|}}; {{Lang-it\|Medina}}), also known by its Italian epithets {{lang\|it\|Città Vecchia\|italics=no}} ("Old City") and '''{{lang\|it\|Città Notabile\|italics=no}}''' ("Notable City"), is a [[fortifications of Mdina\|fortified]] city in the [[Northern Region, Malta\|Northern Region]] of [[Malta]] which served as the island's former capital, from antiquity to the medieval period. The city is still confined within its walls, and has a population of 250, but it is contiguous with the town of [[Rabat, Malta\|Rabat]], which takes its name from the [[Medina quarter\|Arabic word for suburb]], and has a population of over 11,000 (as of March 2014).<ref>{{cite web \|title=Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014 \|url=https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|publisher=[[Government of Malta]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621211549/https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810 \|archive-date=21 June 2015 \|date=16 May 2014 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>

	A natural redoubt, the area of the city has been inhabited since prehistory. A [[Phoenicia]]n [[Phoenician colonization\|colony]] known as Ann ({{lang-phn\|𐤀𐤍𐤍‎}}, {{sc\|ʾnn}}) was established around the {{nowrap\|8th century BC,}} sharing its name with the island and presumably acting as its capital. During the [[Punic Wars]], the town was acquired by the [[Roman Republic\|Romans]] and renamed [[Melita (ancient city)\|Melita]] ({{lang-grc-gre\|Μελίτη}}, {{translit\|grc\|Melítē}}) after the Greek and [[Latin language\|Latin]] name for the island, probably taken from the Punic port at [[Cospicua]] on the [[Grand Harbour]]. Greco-Roman Melite was larger than present-day Mdina. It was reduced to its present size during the period of [[Byzantine Malta\|Byzantine]] or [[History of Islam in southern Italy\|Arab rule]]. Following a 9th century massacre, the area was largely uninhabited until its refounding in the 11th century as {{Transliteration\|ar\|Madīnah}}, from which the town's current name derives. Mdina then continued to serve as the capital of Malta until the arrival of the [[Knights Hospitaller\|Order of St. John]] in 1530, who used [[Birgu]] instead. Mdina experienced a period of decline over the following centuries, although it saw a revival in the early 18th century during which several [[Baroque architecture\|Baroque]] buildings were erected.		A natural [[redoubt]], the area of the city has been inhabited since prehistory. A [[Phoenicia]]n [[Phoenician colonization\|colony]] known as Ann ({{lang-phn\|𐤀𐤍𐤍‎}}, {{sc\|ʾnn}}) was established around the {{nowrap\|8th century BC,}} sharing its name with the island and presumably acting as its capital. During the [[Punic Wars]], the town was acquired by the [[Roman Republic\|Romans]] and renamed [[Melita (ancient city)\|Melita]] ({{lang-grc-gre\|Μελίτη}}, {{translit\|grc\|Melítē}}) after the Greek and [[Latin language\|Latin]] name for the island, probably taken from the Punic port at [[Cospicua]] on the [[Grand Harbour]]. Greco-Roman Melite was larger than present-day Mdina. It was reduced to its present size during the period of [[Byzantine Malta\|Byzantine]] or [[History of Islam in southern Italy\|Arab rule]]. Following a 9th century massacre, the area was largely uninhabited until its refounding in the 11th century as {{Transliteration\|ar\|Madīnah}}, from which the town's current name derives. Mdina then continued to serve as the capital of Malta until the arrival of the [[Knights Hospitaller\|Order of St. John]] in 1530, who used [[Birgu]] instead. Mdina experienced a period of decline over the following centuries, although it saw a revival in the early 18th century during which several [[Baroque architecture\|Baroque]] buildings were erected.

	Largely maintaining its medieval character, Mdina remained the centre of the Maltese nobility and religious authorities and property continues to largely be passed down from families and from generation to generation. It never regained its pre-1530 importance, however, giving rise to the popular nickname the "Silent City" by both locals and visitors.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Mdina & Rabat \|url=https://www.visitmalta.com/en/mdina-and-rabat \|website=VisitMalta \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613050338/https://www.visitmalta.com/en/mdina-and-rabat \|archive-date=13 June 2020}}</ref> Mdina is on the tentative list of [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]s, and it is now one of the main tourist attractions in Malta.<ref>{{cite web \|last1=Blasi \|first1=Abigail \|title=Top 10 day trips in Malta \|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/malta/travel-tips-and-articles/top-10-day-trips-in-malta \|publisher=[[Lonely Planet]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010132218/https://www.lonelyplanet.com/malta/travel-tips-and-articles/top-10-day-trips-in-malta \|archive-date=10 October 2015 \|date=29 September 2014 }}</ref>		Largely maintaining its medieval character, Mdina remained the centre of the Maltese nobility and religious authorities and property continues to largely be passed down from families and from generation to generation. It never regained its pre-1530 importance, however, giving rise to the popular nickname the "Silent City" by both locals and visitors.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Mdina & Rabat \|url=https://www.visitmalta.com/en/mdina-and-rabat \|website=VisitMalta \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613050338/https://www.visitmalta.com/en/mdina-and-rabat \|archive-date=13 June 2020}}</ref> Mdina is on the tentative list of [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]s, and it is now one of the main tourist attractions in Malta.<ref>{{cite web \|last1=Blasi \|first1=Abigail \|title=Top 10 day trips in Malta \|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/malta/travel-tips-and-articles/top-10-day-trips-in-malta \|publisher=[[Lonely Planet]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010132218/https://www.lonelyplanet.com/malta/travel-tips-and-articles/top-10-day-trips-in-malta \|archive-date=10 October 2015 \|date=29 September 2014 }}</ref>
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	During the [[Great Siege of Malta]] in 1565, Mdina was the base of the Order's cavalry, which made occasional sorties on the invading Ottomans. On 7 August 1565, the cavalry attacked the unprotected Ottoman field hospital, which led to the invaders abandoning a major assault on the main fortifications in Birgu and [[Senglea]]. The Ottomans attempted to take Mdina in September so as to winter there, but abandoned their plans when the city fired its cannon inefficiently at a much longer range than normal, leading them to believe that it had ammunition to spare. After the siege, Maltese military engineer [[Girolamo Cassar]] drew up plans to reduce Mdina's size by half and turning it into a fortress, but these were never implemented due to protests by the city's nobles.<ref name="independent2015-06-15"/> The fortifications were again upgraded in the mid-17th century, when the large De Redin Bastion was built at the centre of the land front.<ref>{{cite web\|title=De Redin Bastion – Mdina\|url=http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1445.pdf\|website=National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands\|access-date=13 July 2015\|date=28 June 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714011656/http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1445.pdf\|archive-date=14 July 2015}}</ref>		During the [[Great Siege of Malta]] in 1565, Mdina was the base of the Order's cavalry, which made occasional sorties on the invading Ottomans. On 7 August 1565, the cavalry attacked the unprotected Ottoman field hospital, which led to the invaders abandoning a major assault on the main fortifications in Birgu and [[Senglea]]. The Ottomans attempted to take Mdina in September so as to winter there, but abandoned their plans when the city fired its cannon inefficiently at a much longer range than normal, leading them to believe that it had ammunition to spare. After the siege, Maltese military engineer [[Girolamo Cassar]] drew up plans to reduce Mdina's size by half and turning it into a fortress, but these were never implemented due to protests by the city's nobles.<ref name="independent2015-06-15"/> The fortifications were again upgraded in the mid-17th century, when the large De Redin Bastion was built at the centre of the land front.<ref>{{cite web\|title=De Redin Bastion – Mdina\|url=http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1445.pdf\|website=National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands\|access-date=13 July 2015\|date=28 June 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714011656/http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1445.pdf\|archive-date=14 July 2015}}</ref>

	Mdina suffered severe damage during the [[1693 Sicily earthquake]], although no casualties were reported the 13th-century [[St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina\|Cathedral of St. Paul]] was partially destroyed, and it was rebuilt by [[Lorenzo Gafà]] in the [[Baroque architecture\|Baroque style]] between 1697 and 1703.<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Montanaro Gauci\|first1=Gerald\|title=Mdina cathedral destroyed in the 1693 earthquake\|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150111/life-features/Mdina-cathedral-destroyed-in-the-1693-earthquake.551625\|work=[[Times of Malta]]\|date=11 January 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151213154924/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150111/life-features/Mdina-cathedral-destroyed-in-the-1693-earthquake.551625\|archive-date=13 December 2015}}</ref>		Mdina suffered severe damage during the [[1693 Sicily earthquake]]; although no casualties were reported, the 13th-century [[St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina\|Cathedral of St. Paul]] was partially destroyed, and it was rebuilt by [[Lorenzo Gafà]] in the [[Baroque architecture\|Baroque style]] between 1697 and 1703.<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Montanaro Gauci\|first1=Gerald\|title=Mdina cathedral destroyed in the 1693 earthquake\|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150111/life-features/Mdina-cathedral-destroyed-in-the-1693-earthquake.551625\|work=[[Times of Malta]]\|date=11 January 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151213154924/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150111/life-features/Mdina-cathedral-destroyed-in-the-1693-earthquake.551625\|archive-date=13 December 2015}}</ref>

	On 3 November 1722, newly elected Grand Master [[António Manoel de Vilhena]] issued orders for the restoration and renovation of Mdina.<ref>{{cite journal\|last1=De Lucca\|first1=Denis\|title=Mdina: Baroque town planning in 18th century Mdina\|journal=Heritage: An Encyclopedia of Maltese Culture and Civilization\|date=1979\|volume=1\|pages=21–25\|publisher=Midsea Books Ltd}}</ref> This renovation was entrusted to the French architect and military engineer [[Charles François de Mondion]], who introduced strong [[French Baroque architecture\|French Baroque]] elements into what was still a largely medieval city. At this point, large parts of the fortifications and the city entrance were completely rebuilt. The remains of the ''Castellu di la Chitati'' were demolished to make way for [[Palazzo Vilhena]], while the main gate was walled up and a new [[Mdina Gate]] was built nearby. Several public buildings were also built, including the [[Banca Giuratale (Mdina)\|Banca Giuratale]] and the [[Corte Capitanale]]. The last major addition to the Mdina fortifications was Despuig Bastion, which was completed in 1746.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Despuig Bastion – Mdina\|url=http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1448.pdf\|website=National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands\|date=28 June 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713220736/http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1448.pdf\|archive-date=13 July 2015}}</ref>		On 3 November 1722, newly elected Grand Master [[António Manoel de Vilhena]] issued orders for the restoration and renovation of Mdina.<ref>{{cite journal\|last1=De Lucca\|first1=Denis\|title=Mdina: Baroque town planning in 18th century Mdina\|journal=Heritage: An Encyclopedia of Maltese Culture and Civilization\|date=1979\|volume=1\|pages=21–25\|publisher=Midsea Books Ltd}}</ref> This renovation was entrusted to the French architect and military engineer [[Charles François de Mondion]], who introduced strong [[French Baroque architecture\|French Baroque]] elements into what was still a largely medieval city. At this point, large parts of the fortifications and the city entrance were completely rebuilt. The remains of the ''Castellu di la Chitati'' were demolished to make way for [[Palazzo Vilhena]], while the main gate was walled up and a new [[Mdina Gate]] was built nearby. Several public buildings were also built, including the [[Banca Giuratale (Mdina)\|Banca Giuratale]] and the [[Corte Capitanale]]. The last major addition to the Mdina fortifications was Despuig Bastion, which was completed in 1746.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Despuig Bastion – Mdina\|url=http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1448.pdf\|website=National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands\|date=28 June 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713220736/http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1448.pdf\|archive-date=13 July 2015}}</ref>
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	===Present day===		===Present day===
	Today, Mdina is one of Malta's major tourist attractions, hosting about 1,5 million tourists a year.<ref>{{Cite journal \|last=Cassar \|first=George \|date=2015 \|title=Sustainable Tourism Management - A Collection of Studies from Malta, Lebanon and Jordan \|url=https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/89080/1/Tourism,%20globalisation%20and%20identify.pdf \|journal=Heland \|isbn=978-99957-886-2-9}}</ref> No [[Automobile\|cars]] (other than a limited number of residents, emergency vehicles, wedding cars and horses) are allowed in Mdina, partly why it has earned the nickname 'the Silent City' ({{Lang-mt\|Il-Belt Siekta}}). The city displays an unusual mix of [[Norman architecture\|Norman]] and [[Baroque]] [[architecture]], including several palaces, most of which serve as private homes.		Today, Mdina is one of Malta's major tourist attractions, hosting about 1.5 million tourists a year.<ref>{{Cite journal \|last=Cassar \|first=George \|date=2015 \|title=Sustainable Tourism Management - A Collection of Studies from Malta, Lebanon and Jordan \|url=https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/89080/1/Tourism,%20globalisation%20and%20identify.pdf \|journal=Heland \|isbn=978-99957-886-2-9}}</ref> No [[Automobile\|cars]] (other than a limited number of residents, emergency vehicles, wedding cars and horses) are allowed in Mdina, partly why it has earned the nickname 'the Silent City' ({{Lang-mt\|Il-Belt Siekta}}). The city displays an unusual mix of [[Norman architecture\|Norman]] and [[Baroque]] [[architecture]], including several palaces, most of which serve as private homes.

	An extensive restoration of the city walls was undertaken between 2008 and 2016.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Mdina bastions restoration works completed\|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/63774/mdina_bastions_restoration_works_completed\|work=[[Malta Today]]\|date=5 April 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424103722/http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/63774/mdina_bastions_restoration_works_completed\|archive-date=24 April 2016}}</ref>		An extensive restoration of the city walls was undertaken between 2008 and 2016.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Mdina bastions restoration works completed\|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/63774/mdina_bastions_restoration_works_completed\|work=[[Malta Today]]\|date=5 April 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424103722/http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/63774/mdina_bastions_restoration_works_completed\|archive-date=24 April 2016}}</ref>