The old capital is a typical mediaeval town situated in
the center of the island. The "Silent City", as it is also
known, commands a magnificent view of the Island and although
it is fully inhabited, silence reigns supreme.
It is thought to have been first populated by the Phoenicians
around 1000 BC. When Malta came under the Romans, the Governor
chose to build his Palace there and it housed the government.
The city earned its present day name from the Saracens who
came to Malta around 870 AD. They surrounded the city with
thicker walls, separating it from its nearest town, Rabat.
Today, mercifully it is mainly off limits to cars and there
is a calming atmosphere as you walk along its narrow streets
and ways, passing by some of the best Norman and Baroque
architecture on the island. Several Palaces are situated
here, most serving as private homes. The Cathedral is worth
visiting and is fronted by a large square, the only open
space you'll find within this tiny City.
|