M'dina--the medieval walled city

On a hill near the centre of Malta stands a perfectly preserved 17th C creamy sandstone walled city/fort--stunning in its perfection-it may be unique.

The many narrow and clean streets still have private residents living in the houses and the very few buildings that have been turned to museums, restaurants and shops have been converted with the strictest attention to heritage requirements. It's breathtaking. Like Dubrovnic, there is only one main gate and a couple of much smaller side entrances--all can be sealed at  night.

We were fortunate to be there while a very vivacious Lithuanian  choir was  visiting.

The churches and monasteries were again of amazing ornateness.

In the 1600's M'dina was captured from the Turks by the Knights of St John and been occupied by the Maltese ever since. We had lunch there.

The only sounds were of excited young Italians --I only heard one older American couple--speaking very softly. It's also called the 'silent city'--no music blaring out.

Following that we walked to the catacombs of St Paul--about 18 underground chambers--every one extensive--that had been used since Roman invasion times as a funerary.

The Maltese really know how to present their tourist attractions in a professional manner.