Mdina under the Knights of St. John

Mdina or Citta' Notabile was badly hit by a great earthquake which affected Malta and Sicily in 1693. Extensive damage was caused to the foundations of its fortifications. This natural disaster not only worsened the already impossible defensive system but also caused widespread destruction to many buildings within Imdina, including the Cathedral.

A mass exodus of people sought safer dwellings in the suburb of Rabat. Mdina was largely ignored by the Grandmasters until the time of Grandmaster Vilhena who restored the walls and fortifications; the main Gateway built the Cathedral and a number of Palaces and impressive building.

This was done with the aim to impress upon the proud population of the city of the futility of rebellion and to populate the city and to release a number of people from Valletta whose houses could be demolished and occupied by the new Palatial Buildings.

The Main Gate to the City was erected in 1724 by Grand Master De Vilhena, replacing an earlier draw-bridge gate the outline of which, now walled up, is still visible some metres away to the right of the present gate.