Mdina Old City Fortress, Alley in Mdina, Malta
The Forteresse de la vieille ville de Mdina is a fortified old town alley in Mdina, a hilltop walled city in the center of Malta. The passage runs between tall stone buildings made from the yellow limestone typical of the island, with walls that rise closely on both sides.
The walled city of Mdina has been inhabited for over 4,000 years and served as the island's capital for much of its early history, known then as Citta Notabile. When the Knights of St. John moved the capital to Valletta in the 16th century, the city gradually quieted down and noble families took over most of its palaces.
The narrow alleys of Mdina's old fortified town are so tight that two people can barely walk side by side, giving the place an almost private feel. This silence sets it apart from most other old towns in Malta, where foot traffic is far heavier.
Access to Mdina's old town is on foot, as private vehicles are not allowed inside the walls, so plan to walk from the main gate. Wear comfortable shoes, since the stone paving is uneven and the alleys have no flat sidewalks.
Arab rulers in the 9th century separated Mdina from its suburb Rabat by digging a ditch, and the line of that ditch still marks the boundary between the two areas today. The name Mdina itself comes from the Arabic word for city, a direct trace of that period still carried in everyday speech.
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