The knights put up no resistance, although fighting against native Maltese troops lasted for 24 hours until the central city of Mdina fell.
This included extensive works in the fortified Mediaeval city of Mdina, such as the design of the majestic City Gate, the building of Fort Manoel and the development of Floriana, projects for which Mondion, now a Cavaliere di Grazia, was directly responsible.
On September 2, 1798 the Maltese rose against the French garrison in Notabile (Città Vecchia or Mdina).
On landing, the few defenders the Normans encountered retreated and the following day Roger marched to the capital Mdina.
There are two cathedrals in the diocese: The Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Paul's, in Mdina, and St. John's Co-Cathedral, located in Valletta.
Archaeologists and Researchers also believe some Roman remains (e.g. Roman villas; tombs) can be found nearby, as Bidnija makes part of the rural surroundings of Rabat (Mdina), which served as a City in those ages, and also is not far from Salina coast which was a Roman harbour in the past.
In addition, a building in Mdina was identified as suitable to house the records of Malta's courts from the beginning of the occupation of Malta by the Knights Hospitaller to the early period of occupation by the United Kingdom.
St. Paul’s catacombs are part of a large cemetery once located outside the walls of the ancient Greek city of Melite, now covered by the smaller Mdina and Rabat.
Sallying with about a hundred cavalry from Mdina, he led a surprise cavalry charge against the poorly guarded Turkish camp on August 7th, while the main Turkish force was engaged in an assault on Birgu and Senglea.