The city of Mdina reached its zenith during the Aragonese rule,
which started from the late 13th to the beginning of the 16th century. By
contrast, the social conditions of the Maltese people under the Spanish
feudal system were bad. In 1428, the indigenous population had to raise
30,000 florins to redeem their homeland from their harsh overlords. It was
this act of faith that induced Alfonso V, the Spanish King of Sicily, to
grant the island a Charter of Rights, which envisaged a limited autonomy
conducted by a local Commune under the name of Universita.
This assembly was entrusted with local administration, imposition
of taxes and judicial matters it consisted of a Chairman, called Captains
of the Rod (or Hakem in Maltese) and four Jurats. These officials
were chosen from the local nobility. Mdina became the centre of all
administrative activities.
At the time Aragonese monarchs ruled over Sicily and Malta was
their dependency. The Maltese nobility, tried to emulate the Sicilian
nobility in the building of their palaces. This explains the introduction
in Mdina of 'Siculo-Norman' architecture, which was in vogue in Palermo and
in other major townships in Sicily and Southern Italy.
The main features of the 'Siculo-Norman' style are the pointed
hoodmoulds over doorways and on top of mullioned windows, and the sculpted
string-course at roof level and beneath the first storey.
PALAZZO GATTO MURINA, one of the earliest 'Siculo-Norman'
structures, was erected during the latter part of the 1 4th century.
Originally, the entrance of this house was in the narrow Gatto Murina
Street, from which one can still admire the double-lighted windows and the
string-course which is shaped like small consoles embossed with the
eel-like emblem of the Gatto Murina family.
PALAZZO FALZON, popularly known as the Norman House, is the finest
complete building still standing from the late 1 5th century.
The Falzon family used to serve on the Commune of Mdina and their palace
testifies to their high way of life in the city.
The characteristic hood - mould over the two doorways and over the
windows are the finest in Mdina
The palace is of great historical importance. When Philippe de
l'lsle Adam, first Grand Master of Malta, came to Mdina in 1630 to be
presented with the keys of the city, he was received by the Falzon
family and he resided for several days in this house.
Palazzo Falzon has now been converted into a private Museum. Apart
from the lovely courtyard and the interior of the building,
museum pieces in themselves, one finds on display period furniture, ceramic
ware, oil paintings and family portraits. Of great interest is a portrait
of Grand Master l'lsle Adam.
PALAZZO SANTA SOFIA, in Villegaignon Street, is another
15th century structure, but only the ground floor is medieval. The first
floor, also in Siculo-Norman style, was added in 1938. The house has the
usual architectural features, but its string-course is characterised
by a series of peculiar triangular pendants.
CASA ISABELLA stands smugly in a blind alley in King
Ferdinand Street. This house which was recently restored to its original
state, is privately owned. It is embellished with the usual mullioned
windows and the other features of the Siculo-Norman style.
Walking along the winding, narrow streets of Mdina, one comes
across other minor buildings, with double-light windows decorated
with Gothic tracery. A number of modest houses from an earlier
period also line these sombre streets. These are not marked out by elegant
sculptural motifs, but they stand out on their own as the humble abode of
the people who inhabited the mediaeval city of Mdina.
