New Delhi. In most of the cities of the world, life is seen running amidst the horns of vehicles, traffic noise and crowding. But there is also such a historical city in Malta, in Europe, where as soon as you reach, you feel a different world away from the noise. Narrow stone streets, ancient buildings with golden walls and silence all around make this city special. This is the reason why Medina is known across the world as 'The Silent City'.
Imagine you are walking through the winding streets of an ancient city. There are centuries-old buildings nearby, but neither vehicle horns nor traffic noise can be heard. The calm atmosphere and historical beauty of this place gives the tourists such an experience as if they have gone back in time. Mdina is not only distinguished by its silence, but also by its rich history and unique architecture.
The history of the city is about 4,000 years old.
Mdina of Malta was the ancient capital of the country. Its history is considered to be about 4,000 years old. The Phoenicians settled here around 800 BC. Later it remained an important center even during Roman rule. During the time of Arab rule, it got the name 'Medina', which means city or inhabited settlement.
When the Knights of the Order of St. John established control over Malta in the 1530s, the capital was moved to the seaside town of Valletta for administrative and strategic reasons. After changing the capital, the political and commercial importance of Medina started decreasing. Merchants, officials, and affluent families began moving to the new center. Gradually the hustle and bustle of the city decreased and its identity started becoming associated with peace.
Strict rules to maintain peace
Behind the silence of Medina, its low population, historical structure and limited movement of vehicles play an important role. Here common tourists cannot take their vehicles inside the old city. Some authorized local vehicles and emergency services are allowed entry. This limits traffic and noise in the narrow streets.
To preserve the historical identity of the city, special care is taken of its environment and heritage. The importance of peace in local life is so high that even tourists are often seen talking in low voices while walking on the streets here. However, it would not be correct to claim a complete ban on all types of noise in all parts of the city.
Narrow streets and golden buildings are a special identity
The architecture of Mdina reflects its beauty as well as its historical importance. The narrow and winding streets here are reminiscent of medieval urban structure. Buildings made of limestone, high walls and ancient gates give the city a unique look.
The palaces here reflect Norman and Baroque architecture. St. Paul's Cathedral is one of the major attractions of the city. When the sun shines, the limestone walls appear golden, while in the evening the old streets look even more attractive in the pale yellow light.
Also got recognition from shooting 'Game of Thrones'
The historical beauty of Mdina has also attracted filmmakers. Some of the opening scenes of the fictional city 'King's Landing' in the first season of the popular fantasy series 'Game of Thrones' were shot in Malta. Mdina's historic entrance and its ancient streets were among the main locations for the filming of the series.
Due to the old buildings and medieval atmosphere, this city looks like a fantasy kingdom on screen. This is why Medina holds a special attraction for tourists interested in history, architecture and cinema.
The color of the city changes as night falls
During the day, tourists come to Mdina to visit its historic buildings, cathedrals and ancient streets. But after evening falls and the crowd of tourists reduces, the atmosphere of the city becomes more calm. The stone streets and old buildings bathed in dim yellow light give it the look of a mysterious world.
The specialty of Mdina is that the peace here is not just a tourist attraction, but part of the historical character of the city. Far away from the noise of modern cities, this small historical town reminds that the beauty of a place can lie not only in its glamour, but also in its history, architecture and tranquil atmosphere.