Malta's Ancient Heart
Trip Start
Apr 24, 2010
1
6
9
Trip End
May 01, 2010
Mdina & Rabat, Island of Malta, Malta
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Excursion: Mdina, the City - 2.5
Mdina was the old capital under the Roman Empire and is located on a high hill from which you can see a large part of the island. Massive walls were built during the medival period and stand until this day.
Squidwilk Tip: eat at Vinum Wine Bar near the back of the city
Synopsis: You can find yourself sauntering through the stone alleys of Mdina for hours oblivous to its small size. There is an abundance of restaurants, museums, and gift shops. Although Valletta offers a larger example of a fortified city, Mdina offers visitors a different perspective and is one of the places you should see when in Malta.
Compliment: a beautiful, living, walled city
Complaint: none
Excursion: Catacombs of St. Paul - 2.5
Neighboring Mdina is Rabat which houses St. Paul's Grotto and Church, as well as the more famous catacombs. Built in the 3rd-century, the Catacombs of St. Paul are an expansive underground labyrinth dating from the Roman period.
One of the best parts about visiting the catacombs is that you are given unlimited free-reign to the complex. The main chamber is the only illuminated room in the crypt meaning that you must navigate through a difficult maze in total darkness adding eeriness to your spelunking adventure. You are given no map, no light, and most of the passages are low, since they were built to accommodate the height of a man in the time of the Roman Empire.
Squidwilk Tip: bring a small light to spelunk past the main chamber
Synopsis: the creepy dark catacombs provide for an interesting adventure - and for only €5
Compliment: easy to get lost!
Complaint: there is no warning about the need for a light - luckily we had one for some reason...
Restaurant: Vinum Wine Bar - 3.0
3 Food: cheap, great-tasting food with Malta specialties
3 Drink: lots of wines including many local brands
3 Price: less than €10 for a meal (try the desert!)
3 View: enjoy a great view from the top of the city walls...over the entire island
Description/Other: There is no explanation as to why this restaurant is so cheap. For the price, quality, and atmosphere, there is also no explanation of why you shouldn't eat (or drink) here Compliment: view! cheap! flavor!
Complaint: you have to pay for the toilet :)
