Metropolitan Cathedral of St Paul (Pjazza San Pawl)
Traditionally built on the remains of the house of Publius, the Roman Governor who welcomed Paul after the shipwreck, his first documentary evidence of a church dates back to the mid-13th century. During the 17th century the Church authorities were contemplating building a new Cathedral. The 1693 earthquake caused great damage to the old Cathedral, and Maltese architect Lorenzo Gafà was commissioned to plan the new Cathedral. The building started in 1697 and was completed in 1704. He was described as one of the masterpieces of baroque architecture in Malta. The interior of the Cathedral includes canvas by Mattia Preti and various 19th and 20th century Italian artists.
The Cathedral's title shows the conversion of St Paul, while the apse shows the Shipwreck of St Paul in Malta, both works by Preti. A number of monuments are to be seen in the church, commemorating the bishops of the past of the diocese, while the pavement is covered with colourful slabs of past prelates and other individuals, one of whom is Lord Strickland, former Prime Minister of Malta.
Carmelite Church of Annunciation (Triq Villegaignon)
The present church dates back to the 17th century, after permission was given for Carmelites to have their church and convent located in the walls of the Mdina fortification, for reasons of sigurtà. The plan for the church and convent was prepared by Mederico Blondel, while the building was supervised by Francesco Sammut. Upon the latter's death, Lorenzo Gafà took over. The church is considered to be one of the most interesting baroque churches in Malta. The facade is decorated with one of the best corner statues in Malta, a work by Sigismondo Dimech.
The statue was probably a votive offer after the plague of 1813. The titular painting belongs to Stefano Erardi. The processional statue dates back to the 18th century. In September 1798, the French authorities tried to auction a number of materials seized by the church, and local people prevented this from advancing. This was supposed to be the beginning of the Maltese uprising against the French, which led to a two-year blockade.
St Peter's Church in chains (Journal Street)
In 1575 the church dedicated to St Peter was reported to be in remains. This led to the rebuilding of this church, and by 1614 its construction was probably completed. The church in front of a small square. It has a central door, with a small bell on the facade. The barrel interior leads to a small apse, where there is a small painting by Mario Caffaro Rore depicting St Peter in chains.
St Agata Church (Piazzetta Maria Adeodata Pisani)
The origins of this church are not known, but diġà there was a church dedicated to St Agatha at the beginning of the 15th century. An earlier altarpiece is the work of the 16th century given as a votive offer by Don Giuseppe Manduca, following the terrible aspiration incursion of 1551. After praying to St Agatha and organizing a procession with a statue of the Saint around Mdina, the enemy abandoned the siege. Built on the designs of Lorenzo Gafà in 1694, the church was blessed by the bishop of Malta at the time, together with the new titular painting by Giuseppe D' Arena. One of the first solemn mass celebrated in the church was attended by Grand Master Adrien de Wignacourt. St. Agatha is one of the minor patron Saint of Malta.
St Nicholas Church (St Nicholas Street)
In 1434 there was a church dedicated to St Nicholas, although it is not known when it was originally built. The current building dates back to the 17th century. This church is located near the Greek gate, the secondary gate of Mdina. It has an interesting concave facade, thus offering dignity in the restricted space available. Two side windows provided the devotees with a place to offer their prayers and gifts when the church was closed. The church boasts a small dome and a small stone altar. The titular painting was removed at the Cathedral Museum.
Church of St Rocco - Our Lady of light (Triq Villegaignon)
Before the present church, there was another smaller church dedicated to the Holy cross. Recorded in 1398, it is one of the oldest documented churches in Mdina. In 1598 a church dedicated to St Rocco was built at the old entrance to Mdina. When the new entrance to Mdina was rebuilt at the beginning of the 18th century, the church was rebuilt instead of the old church of the Holy cross. The present church dates back to 1728 and is built on the designs of Francois Mondion. It is an elegant church, with various baroque decorations. The titular painting is exhibited at the Cathedral Museum. Because of the small painting which shows Our Lady of light, the church was soon referred to with this devotion.
Church and Sister of St Peter (Triq Villegaignon)
The origins of this community and the church with clause date back to the Medieval times. The present church was rebuilt in 1625, as an inscription on the door shows. The facade is decorated with two niches, in which there are statues of St Peter and St Benedict. The interior of the church is richly decorated. The titular is one of Mattia Preti's masterpieces, while a number of other tiles decorate the church. One of the altar boys of the komunità was Blessed Adeodata Pisani, who was declared blessed in 2001 by St John Paul II, during his second visit to Malta. Its mortal remains are kept in an urn, located in one of the niches inside the church. The monastery as built in 1690 on Lorenzo Gafà's designs.
Church of the Visitation (Triq Inguanez)
A small and forgotten Church is located in one of the shortest and longest streets of Mdina. A diġà named in the 16th century has undergone several structural changes more than once. Although not endowed with benefits, he was still working for the benefit of the local people. The church had a painting showing the visit of Our Lady to St Elizabeth, but it was diġà described as very old in the 17th century. The small church underwent some alterations, and it is probable that the last works were carried out in 1720. Although empty of some decorations, the church welcomes one of the oldest bells in Malta, dated 1451.
Knisja tal-Madonna tal-Vitorja (Pjazza San Pawl)
He was already standing in 1436, when he was mentioned during the pastoral visit by Bishop Senatore de Mello. It was probably originally dedicated to the birth of Our Lady. Over the years she has undergone various changes, one of which was the change in dedication, namely that of Our Lady of Victories. The present church was rebuilt in 1956, after it was badly damaged during one of the many air raids during World War II. This church forms part of the Cathedral Chapter. The church is very simple, but it still attracts a number of devotees due to the fact that the image of the Virgin survived the war without any damage.
