Mdina

A guide introducing to the history of Mdina

The guide may have taken some thoughts from a history book. Designed with lessons to test who remembers what happened over time in Mdina, the following is stated:

The changing role of Mdina under the Knights:

"With the coming of the Knights in 1530 Mdina (Città Notabile or Città Vecchia as it was known by the Knights) started losing its importance and population. Most of its noble families went to live in Sicily and the lower classes preferred to live at Rabat. By 1700 the population of Mdina consisted of about 300 people mostly from the noble and professional classes."

Source: Maltese history - some projects by the Order. Lessons, Form 3

In 2013 the population seemed to be about the same with ownership being divided between the mayor and one nobel family. The latter is indicative of the former colonial status of Malta, and is continued in onwership forms which make it hard to manage property, use of spaces and allow for a development without over exploiting both the past and the resources Malta does have. This is most likely due to a lack of correspondence between structures of governance and real interests. The latter are manifested visibly as edifices of the past, and not only in terms of built environment. For once the British colonisation started, they send Irish troops thought to be more sensitive to a Catholic population which does mind what happens to its churches and the richness they contain. After the experience with the French that was a sensitive point. The Irish troops wanted two things which Malta did not offer at that time: butter and bear. Hence they started a new cultivation in Malta and thereby transformed its agriculture.

However, Ray Bondin attests that the British forces and colonial masters stole as much if not more and therefore left the cultural heritage of Malta in disarray. Crucial is to take into consideration all the links to Italy especially when it came to artists and craftsmen who would contribute to restoration efforts. And that story is told best by reaccounting who came when to build what jewel.

Palace build by French architects

Various phases

The earthquake of 1693 and its consequences on Mdina

"On 11th August 1693 Malta and Gozo were affected by an earthquake that caused a great damage in Sicily. Hundreds of people were killed in Syracuse and Catania. Panic and fear swept throughout the islands. Many people stayed outside their homes and spent the night in the open. The people of Valletta stayed ‘nel piano della Floriana’ while the people of Senglea took refuge on galleys and ships that happened to be in the harbour. No deaths were caused by the earthquake but some people died later because they were injured by falling stones. But some Maltese who were in Sicily during the earthquake lost their life."

Source: op. cit.

"After the earthquake the Order set up a commission of architects to report on the damages. It was found that a large section of Mdina was badly damaged. The medieval Cathedral suffered considerable damage. It was decided to build a new Cathedral designed by the Maltese architect Lorenzo Gafà on the richly decorated baroque style. It took only five years to build, from 1697-1702. Gafà built also the Gozo Cathedral (1711)."

Restoration works undertaken by Grand Master Vilhena

"Thirty years after the earthquake Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena (1722-36) planned to give a new life to the old town of Mdina. The damaged buildings that were left unrepaired were cleared away. Between 1723 and 1728 the fortifications were remodeled and repaired, the street plan of the town was changed and new baroque palaces and public buildings were undertaken. Nearly all these buildings were designed by the Parisian architect Francois de Mondion who introduced French baroque architecture to Malta. The old medieval square in front of the old Cathedral was enlarged to make more space for the new Cathedral, the Bishop’s Palace and the Banca Giuratale (or Municipal Palace). The last buildings to be completed were the grain stores next to Greeks Gate (1739).

A city for propaganda purposes - today a tourist destination

"In 1727 Grandmaster Manoel de Vilhena issued a decree to encourage people from the villages to go and live at Mdina. Unfortunately, these projects failed to convince many people to go and reside there. The population of Mdina in the 18th and 19th century remained low. One historian came up with the view that the upper classes of Mdina discouraged people of lower classes from Rabat and the villages to go and live there. But one thing was certain, the rebuilding of Mdina served as a propaganda scheme of the Knights to show their power, their wealth and their benevolence towards the common people."

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