Mdina, June 2008

Discover Mdina – Self Guided Audio Tours for the Silent City

Audio Guides Malta Ltd has launched Discover Mdina, a self guided audio tour in six languages of the old city of Mdina on the beautiful Mediterranean Island of Malta. The project, which has been developed in close collaboration with Heritage Malta included the production of an audio guide which takes the visitor on a journey in time through the fascinating history of Mdina.  The audio tour moves away from the traditional dreary narration and instead offers an innovative and well-crafted script captivating the visitor’s imagination.  The tour was written and produced by Antenna Audio, part of the multinational media group Discovery Communications, with extensive experience in museum and heritage site interpretation including projects, such as the Louvre, Tate Modern and Stonehenge.

Historians from Heritage Malta not only provided invaluable information for the development of the tour, but also oversaw the project to ensure the accuracy of the historical content.  The script strikes the appropriate balance between

education and entertainment utilising ancient Medieval Music and sound effects to enhance the content. Through user friendly XP-classic audio guide handheld units, visitors can listen to a conversation between a young female guide and a Baron who claims to be the oldest remaining member of one of the oldest remaining noble families in Mdina, as he graces the visitors with his profound knowledge of his home city.

The launch was attended by Hon. Dolores Cristina, Minister of Education and Culture, Hon. Mario DeMarco, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, and Dr. Mario Tabon, Chairperson of Heritage Malta. Minister Cristina said “the need for explanations and interpretations of all sites and museums to be in the two official languages of the country, that is in Maltese and English, has always been felt”.

The self guided audio tours are available in six languages, and are available for collection from the Vilhena Palace, just behind the city’s Main gate.  A website promoting the service has also been setup at www.discovermdina.com.

About Antenna Audio

Antenna Audio (www.antennaaudio.com) is the world leader in audio and multimedia tours, and is an innovator in mobile and cultural interpretation, expanding into podcasting, cell-phone tours and downloadable walking tours. Each year, more than 20 million visitors, in 12 languages and across 20 countries, experience Antenna Audio's award-winning productions at 450 of the world's most famous, fascinating, and frequented destinations. Founded in 1984 and a subsidiary of Discovery Communications, Inc. since 2006, Antenna Audio has a global network of 22 branches in North America, Europe, and Asia. For more information on Discovery Communications, please visit www.discovery.com.