Grand Master de Vilhena undertook the task of rebuilding the city. He removed a number of disused dwellings, restored the damaged palaces and built some of the stately houses which still embellish the ancient city.

CASA INGUANEZ is the house of the oldest noble family in Malta. The palace occupied the same site since 1370, but several alterations were made to the structure especially after the great earthquake.

The Inguanez family were among the rulers of Mdina. Their escutcheon can still be seen on the inside of the main gateway. In 1432, King Alfonso V of Spain and Sicily visited the island and he was received as guest in their palace. The family have ever since left untouched the hall in which the King was received.

The house, still the residence of the family, contains numerous paintings, valuable documents, art objects and a collection of sedan chairs, coaches and harness.

THE BANCA GIURATALE or Town Hall was built by de Vilhena for the city Commune, when he took over their premises to build his own Magisterial Palace near the city entrance. This stately house flaunts an extravagant baroque style of architecture.

When the Universita', or Commune, ceased to exist at the end of the 1 8th century, the building was used for various purposes. Today, it is a depositary of old state documents and archives.

THE ARCHBISHOP'S PALACE, adjacent to the Cathedral, dates from 1722. It replaces another building of the 14th century.

The twenty six bishops or archbishops who headed the See of Malta had their seat in Mdina - only the last ten were Maltese. Before the island came under British rule, bishops were nearly always prelates from other countries.

THE CARMELITE CHURCH was originally founded in 1370 when that monastic order established itself in Malta. The present church and convent were rebuilt and enlarged in the late 17th century. The belfry, which was destroyed by the earthquake of 1693, was rebuilt a year later.

In September 1798, French troops came to the church to sell its treasures by auction. The Mdina citizens and other Maltese revolted and killed most of the soldiers. That insurrection led to the blockade of Valletta by British forces, which in turn contributed to the final surrender of the French two years later.

THE HERALD'S LOGGIA housed the town-criers who used to proclaim the Commune's decrees in the city squares. That was how the Universita promulgated edicts or 'bandi' intended to safeguard law and order, to impose taxes and to issue warrants against fugitive criminals.

Other notable buildings in Mdina include Xara Palace in St Paul Square, Palazzo Gourgion, and Casa Testaferrata, both in Villegaignon Street.

THE GREEKS' GATE at Magazines Street, is of great antiquity. A part of the bastion here is from the defensive wall built originally under the Saracen rule.