A close-up shot of the main entry to Mdina for the week’s theme. Mdina is referred to as ‘The Silent City’ because there is no noise pollution caused by traffic as it is completely pedestrianised (except for the few residents). It is reached through a narrow stone bridge over a moat.
This monumental gateway is a splendid, if top heavy, example of restrained Baroque. It was designed by the Order's most prolific builder, the French architect and military engineer Charles François de Mondion in 1724. It was commissioned by Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena who was a Portuguese aristocrat of royal descent - The escutcheon above the gate bears his coat of arms. The inscription records the restoration of parts of the city walls. The lions in the coat of arm are repeated as statues on the bridge in front of the gate and also in the statues on the outer end of the bridge leading to the gate (not shown).
This is not the original gate of Mdina. The original was a few meters to the left and is clearly visible in the now solid wall. The replacement of the old gate was to make space for the enlargement of the palace, Palazzo Giuratale, damaged in the great eathquake of 1693.
I thank you all for looking and for the kind comments on my yesterday’s picture.
