Mdina was founded around 1000 BC. It used to be Malta's political center and the Citta Notabile (Noble City), perched on a rocky outcrop with a commanding view, was home to many aristocratic Maltese. Many of their descendants still live in Mdina.
The Palazzo Falzon was built in Norman style, in 1495 and is the best preserved medieval building in town. There are many more Norman and baroque buildings in town, such as the Roman Catholic Sicula-Norman Cathedral that was built in the 11th century. Its museum has a collection of Dürer woodcuts.
Malta was under Roman rule for about 1000 years and the Museum of Roman Antiquities is in the suburb of Rabat, 2 km to the south. Rabat means 'suburb'. There used to be many more interesting buildings in Mdina, but an earthquake in 1693 destroyed many of them. There are several hotels and restaurants in town. Mdina is 10 km west of Valletta.
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