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Mdina is the ancient capital of Malta. In 1693 an earthquake hit Malta and damaged many of the old medieval buildings of the city. The Cathedral was one of the buildings that had to be rebuilt. The rebuilding introduced a new Baroque architectural element to the old city. In the 1720s the entrance to Mdina was thoroughly altered to feature a small piazza flanked by the imposing and sumptuous Vilhena Palace. The main gate was walled up and a new ornate gate was built a few meters away. The gate was designed by the French military engineer Charles Francois de Mondion, who at the time was in the pay of the Order of St John. The gate prominently features the coat of arms of Grand Master Anton Manoel de Vilhena surrounded by a trophy of arms.
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