Mdina is situated in the middle of Malta Island and was originally the capital city. In 1530 the Knights of St John moved the capital to Birgu near Valetta.
Fortified for many years the current fortifications largely date from the late 1500s when the Knights of St John reduced the size of the city and fortified it with bastions and a dry moat. In 1722 the fortifications were restored after earthquake damage in 1693.
In 1800 Malta came under British control and Mdina was maintained as an administrative hub. In 1883 a railway line lined Mdina with Valetta, but this was closed in 1931.
Mdina proved an important centre of the defence of the Victoria Lines, with the Imtarfa Barracks being built some 500 metres North of Mdina.