Mdina (the Silent City) is the ancient Maltese capital, dating to prehistoric times. The name is derived from the Arabic for 'city'. Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans and Arabs all used the defensible, hill-top city for their capital.
Following Malta's return to Christian rule in 1090, Mdina continued as the capital and was eventually named 'Citta Notabile', though the old name also survived.
The City became home to the indigenous nobility - a reality to this day.
With the arrival of the Knights of St. John, a maritime force which required proximity to the sea, the capital was moved first to Borgo (Birgu) and later to the new city of Valletta. While Mdina played its part in the Great Siege (1565) and early Maltese nationalism - e.g. the rising against French occupation, 1798 - it waits silently, secure with its place in history.