1 Day Itinerary #30 -- Malta's Old Capital Region (Exclusive) Malta's Remarkable Old Capital Region St. Paul's Catacombs St. Paul's Grotto & WWII Shelters Mdina - the Silent City Mdina Private Palace Visit Itinerary Inclusions Itinerary Exclusions NET Euro Value Total (Based on Two People) Malta's Remarkable Old Capital Region The Old Capital region comprises the current limits of Mdina and parts of the village of Rabat. Mdina itself was founded as Maleth in around the 8th century BC by the Phoenicians and was later renamed Melite by the Romans. Under the Byzantine or Arab occupation the area was reduced and adopted its present name. Mdina remained the capital of Malta up until the Knights of St. John arrived in 1530 and had seen a transformation from a medieval city to a largely Baroque one due in part to damage caused in 1693 by an earthquake. 1 St. Paul's Catacombs St.Paul’s Catacombs are a typical complex of interconnected, underground Roman cemeteries that were in use up to the 4th century AD. They are located on the outskirts of the old Roman capital Melite (today’s Mdina), since Roman law prohibited burials within the city. St Paul’s Catacombs represent the earliest and largest archaeological evidence of Christianity and Judaism in Malta. St. Paul's Grotto & WWII Shelters The Wignacourt Collegiate Museum at Rabat Malta was formerly the baroque residence of the Chaplains of the Knights of St. John. Originally inaugurated by Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt (1601-1622), it has recently reopened after a thorough refurbishment of the whole building together with the restoration of most of the artworks which it presently hosts. Initially located outside the former Roman City of Melite, the Wignacourt Museum forms part of a Pauline complex as it is materially linked to St Paul's Grotto, the cradle of Christianity in Malta. This is the place where St Paul the Apostle, in A.D. 60, is believed to have founded the first Christian Community on the island. 2 Mdina - the Silent City You will feel the power as you enter the Old Capital City of Mdina and fall in love with it inasmuch as the families who continue to live here. It's Malta's only medieval city with a range of architecture that includes Norman and Arabic features. If you're a Game of Thrones fan, you will recognize the main gates immediately. Mdina Private Palace Visit One of Mdina's nicknames it Citta Nobile and it's no wonder. Noble families have occupied Mdina well before the Knights of St. John arrived in Malta. With just a couple of knocks on the door, you'll enter to find more than just a home. This rare and exclusive opportunity will have you meet a family member who will share their most prized possessions and the stories linked to them. Note: Availability is confirmed, however the private visit is always at the discretion of the owner. Itinerary Inclusions • Start time of 9am or 1pm (4 hour tour) • Expert guiding • Car transfers from Valletta to Mdina • Entrance to attractions indicated on the itinerary 3 Itinerary Exclusions • Attractions and meals not identified in the itinerary • Gratuities for guide and driver NET Euro Value Total (Based on Two People) 731.27 Euro 4.