After the earthquake of 1693 which destroyed many important buildings , notably the medieval cathedral of St Paul , the cathedral chapter moved to the Carmelite church until 1702 when the new cathedral was rebuilt . Moreover , the church also served as the parish church during this time . During the French occupation the church was ransacked by the French where valuables were stolen to fund Napoleon 's wars . However , it is said that on one particular occasion , as the French were on their way to steal the church 's damask , some rebels locked the church doors and a boy went up to the spire to sound the alarm . Consequently , this event gave birth to the resistance against the French
earthquake of 1693
1693 Sicily earthquake
Annunciation Church, Mdina