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Our tour of Mdina literally began at the door of the National Museum of Natural History in the Palazzo Vilhena, former home of the 66th of the Order of the Knights of St. John, Grand Master Fra Antonio Manoel de Vilhena. The museum is the national repository of biological specimens and represents both life and earth sciences.
Located on the San Publius Square, behind a large, solemn stone courtyard featuring a Maltese Cross of marble, the entrance to Palazzo Vilhena is adorned with sculptures, a large, intricate medallion befitting the palace that it is.
Not to be confused with a "National" history museum, th is "Natural" history museum is for lovers of nature!! The Natural History Museum does contain exhibits and historically important geological collections of "over 10,000 rocks and minerals, over 3,500 birds, birds’ eggs and nests, 200 mammals, over 200 fish species, thousands of local and exotic shells and insects."
The fossil collection is something you just don't find everywhere--a number of large fish, numerous species of sea urchins and other marine fauna found embedded in limestone rocks is for students of biology, anthropology, geology, zoology, palaeontology and other curious scientifically-oriented minds.
High school, college students and tourists alike will find the museum focus on faunal aspects of natural sciences, habitats, evolution, and ecosystems a good place for research and the museum also houses a reference library on natural sciences.
The Palazzo Vilhena provides a grand setting for this museum!
The very reasonable admission fees are as follows:
Adults (18 - 59 years): €2.33 (Lm 1)
Students (12 - 17 years), Senior Citizens (60 years and over), ISIC Card Holders, EURO Leave a Comment Address: Vilhena Palace, St Publius SquarePhone: ( 356) 21455951
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During the time of the Arab rule, enhancement of the fortifications of Mdina became a huge undertaking. Higher, solid stone walls were added and a moat was dug for additional fortification --- Mdina eventually resembled other Moorish fortresses of the time such as in North Africa. However, these changes greatly reduced the size of the city and required more formal gates for entry.
The "Mdina Gate" is probably most widely recognized and most used by tourists to gain entry into "the Silent City." Two stone sculptures on pedestals frame the approach to the stone bridge and ornamental gate. The gates leading directly to the Piazza San Publius in front of the Vilhena Palace, now home of the national Museum of Natural History.
The city sustained considerable damage during the earthquake of 1693. It was Grand Master Fra Antoine Manoel de Vilhena who restored the Palazzo Vilhena (originally the Magisterial Palace) and the main gate or Mdina Gate around the year 1725 and added Baroque embellisments which made it a distinctive entrance to this special city. Leave a Comment
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At the farthest point of our brief tour to Mdina, we reached "Bastion Square or Piazza tas-Sur" at the end of Villegaignon Triq. Stop here at this high vantage point atop the fortified ramparts to view the panorama which lays before you. This is the area from which the Ottoman Turks lay seige to Mdina. "Straight in front is the hill at Mtarfa where the Ottoman turks encamped during there bitter and fierce but unsuccessful attack on Mdina in 1522." As you stand at that high wall, you may imagine what the scene looked like and at the determination and courage shown by the citizens of Mdina to repel the vast army that lay waiting to assault their city.
Also from this point on Bastion Square, our guide pointed out the dome of Mosta's church which is considered the 3rd largest dome in the World. The Pantheon in Rome has the world's largest dome.
NOTE: Be cautious of the uneven pavement and steps at Bastion Square and the ramparts. One elderly member of our group missed a step and fell, causing other members of the group to fall as well. Leave a Comment
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Another museum which I would have found very interesting but did not have time to see during our brief visit to Mdina was the Palazzo Falson Historic House Museum -- the palazzo and its notable collections.
Palazzo Falson was the former home of Capt. Olaf Frederick Gollcher, OBE. Of Swedish descent, Gollcher came from a prosperous family. Due to his fortunate circumstances, Capt. Gollcher was a generous man and somewhat of a Renaissance man as well. He was a philantropist, artist and scholar who pursued his passion of collecting art and objet d'arts, furniture, historical artifacts and antiques. His collections numbered in the dozens and are too vast to name but a few-- military accoutrements, antique pistols, oriental rugs, watches, manuscripts, etc. Capt. Gollcher took great pleasure in arranging his numerous and myriad collections in his Medieval palace, a beautiful building in itself.
Today, through the auspices of the Capt. O.G. Gollcher, OBE Art and Archeological Foundation and Maltese Heritage Foundation, the palce and the beloved collections of Capt. Gollcher can be viewed by the public as was his wish upon his death in 1962.
The Museum chose the palace's rooftop as the setting for its Cafe. Guests can have light snacks, cakes and hot & cold beverages while enjoying the tremendous view of the island and sea from this vantage point.
Don't miss the Museum's Gift Shop which carries books on art & history, as well as prints, postcards, gifts and souvenirs to remind you of your visit to the Palazzo Falson.
Museum hours: Tuesday through Sunday: 10am - 5pm (last entry at 4pm); Closed Mondays.
Guided tours last approximately 1 hour and are given in Maltese and English (other languages by special arrangement.
Call for group tours, after hours visits or to book special occasions.
Admission: Adults - 10 Euros including free audio guide; Students, Seniors & ISIC Cardholders - 5 Euros including free audio guide; children 6- 12 with accompanying adult only & no audio guide. Children 0 - 5 yrs - NO ENTRY!!
Children Leave a Comment Address: Villegaignon Street, MdinaPhone: 356-2145-4512Directions: Within walking distance of everything in Mdina!Website: %cv%bpalazzofalson.com Other Contact: FAX: 356-2145-1739
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 Flyer from Discover Mdina
Audio-Tour by starship
The audio portion of the tour is narrated by a real character, Baron Phillippe Caxaro d’Antonio Murina della Verga, "who claims to be the oldest remaining member of one of the oldest remaining noble families in Mdina."
The hand-held audio phone and map can be obtained at the Vilhena Palace, just inside and to the right of the Mdina Gate, available everyday from 9am to 4pm.
Adults/Children/Students: 8 Euros; Senior citizens: 6 Euros. Leave a Comment Address: Vilhena Palace, Publius SquareWebsite: %cv%bDiscoverMdina.com
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 by starship
It is housed on the top floor of the 14th century, Norman architectural gem named the Palazzo Gatto Murina.
Admission: 23.50 Euros - adults; 16.50 - children. Best bet is to check prices ahead of time by phone or at the door. Leave a Comment Address: Palazzo Gatto Murina, Villegaignon StreetPhone: (+356) 21451179
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 St Paul's Cathedral by sandysmith
St Paul's Cathedral is the architectural heart of Malta - in a lovely wide open square so you can get a good view of it. In fact when the Cathedral was built (1697-1702) Mdina underwent a major redesign for this very purpose and several streets and houses had to be cleared. It had a lovely golden hue with the sun shining on its yellow facade - unfortunately we arrived at its door literally as it was closing for lunch so we didn't get a chance to see inside. The interior is reputed to be as lavish as St John's Co-Cathedral in Valleta so if that is the case its definitely worth a look .
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 approaching Mdina by sandysmith
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 Palazzo Falzon by sandysmith
It wa difficult to take a close look here as part of the road was closed off due to renovations of the pavements in Mdina during our visit :-(
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The plaque on the wall of the Monastery of St. Peter interested me initially for two reasons: 1) In general, a building housing nuns (in my country) is called a "convent"; 2) the plaque says that it is the home of Benedictine nuns and I was educated by Benedictine nuns from grades 1 - 8.
This building was difficult to obtain information for, but one source states that: "In 1418 the ancient hospital of St. Peter became a Monastery for Benedictine nuns; renovated and enlarged in 1625, it received the relics of St. Felicissima in 1833 from the Catacomb of St. Cyriaca in Rome." The highly adorned main altar alone would be worth seeing, but being in the presence of reliquary is special also. St. Peter's can also boast that Blessed Maria Adeodata Pisani spent most of her life as a cloistered nun in St. Peter's Monastery. Sister Adeodata was Abbess of the Monastery from 1851 - 1853, and died there in 1855. Miracles of cures have been attributed to her, hence her titled of "Blessed." I hope that her path to Sainthood will be accomplished soon.
Although information points to a daily mass said there, I can only assume it is open to the public.
Priest in charge: Msgr Aloysius Deguara Address: Holy Masses: Daily: 8.00 a.m. Leave a Comment Address: St Peter Monastery, Triq Villegaignon, Mdina MDN 1Phone: Telephone: 21 45 43 55
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