Rabat, Malta

Rabat is a town in the Western Region of Malta, home to 11,497 people as of March 2014. It is located right next to the ancient capital city of Mdina. Part of Rabat was once part of the Roman city of Melite before the city walls were built closer together in medieval times.

Important buildings in Rabat include the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See to the Republic of Malta. The local government of Rabat also takes care of the area known as Baħrija. Some scenes from the movies Munich and Black Eagle were filmed in Rabat. Over time, the area known as Mtarfa was separated from Rabat in December 1999 to become its own local council. In 2021, Rabat was moved from the Northern Region to the new Western Region as part of updates to how regions are organized in Malta.

Etymology

Rabat comes from an Arabic word that means "fortified town" or "suburb". The Arabic word Ribat describes a small fortification meant to house volunteers for military purposes.

Catacombs

Rabat is home to the Catacombs of St. Paul and of St. Agatha. The Romans dug these catacombs as a burial place outside their city, since they thought burial inside the city was not clean. Mdina and parts of Rabat were later built on top of the ancient Roman city of Melite.

The Catacombs of St. Paul are now cared for by Heritage Malta. According to tradition and the Bible, St. Paul stayed in these catacombs for three months after his shipwreck on the island in AD 60.

In the Catacombs of St. Agatha, there are over 500 graves, many of which belong to children. There are areas for pagans, Jews, and Christians, along with special frescoes. The catacombs also have special tables called agape, two of which were found in the Catacombs of St. Paul.

Buildings

Rabat, Malta, is home to many important buildings and places of worship. Some notable ones include St Pauls Collegiate and Grotto, the Nativity of Our Lady church, and the Archbishop Seminary.

Other significant sites are the Augustinian Priory, Annunciation Church, Casa Cosmana Navarra, and the Collegiate Basilica of St Paul. The area also features historical locations like St. Paul's Catacombs, Santo Spirito Hospital, and the Wignacourt Museum.

Districts in Rabat

Rabat has many different areas or districts. Some of these districts include Baħrija, Bieb ir-Ruwa, Landrijiet, Għajn Qajjet, and Għar Barka. Others are Kunċizzjoni, Fomm ir-Riħ, Miġra Ferħa, and Tas-Salvatur. There are also places like Tas-Salib, Il-Lunzjata, Għemieri (Gomerino), and Għajn Klieb.

More districts include Ħofra ta' Ritz, Il-Ħemsija, Misraħ Suffara, and Mtaħleb. Some others are Nigret, Nigret tal-Ħarruba, Raba Nemel, and Ras ir-Raħeb. You can also find Rdum tal-Lunzjata, Rdum tal-Vigarju, Ħal-Bajjada, and Ta'Qasgha. Additional areas are Ta' Busugrilla, Ta' Cassia, Ta' Fantin, and Ta' Gerżuma.

There are many more districts such as Ta' Lawrenti, Ta' Manduca, Ta' Namura, and Ta' Sirena. Places like Tal-Infetti, Tabja, Tal-Forok, and Tal-Marġa are also part of Rabat. Other districts include Tal-Virtù, Tat-Torri, Tax-Xieref, Ras ir-Raħeb, Santa Katarina (tad-Daħla), Saqqajja, Wied Gerżuma, Wied il-Baħrija, Wied il-Bużbież, Wied il-Fiddien, Wied iż-Żebbuġ, Wied Liemu, Wied Rini, Wied tal-Isqof, Wied tal-Marġa, and Xagħra tal-Isqof.

Thoroughfares

Rabat has many interesting streets and squares. Some of the well-known places include Parish Square, Sant Dominic Square, and Saqqajja Square. Other important roads are George Borg Olivier Road, Ghajn Qajjet Road, and Main Street, among many others. Each of these places has its own story and charm.

Band clubs and feasts

Rabat has many band clubs and celebrates several important feasts. Some of these include the St. Paul, Conte Roger Band Club and the St. Joseph, L'Isle Adam Band Club A.D. 1860. The town also holds special celebrations for Saint Paul, Saint Joseph, and other saints throughout the year.

There are also feasts for the Madonna of the Belt, Saint Catherine, Saint Anthony the Abbot, the Madonna of Health, the Immaculate Conception, the Nativity of Mary, and Saint Martin in the area of Baħrija.

Sport

Rabat has its own football club named Rabat Ajax F.C. The team won the Maltese Premier League two times, in the seasons of 1984–85 and 1985–86, and also won the Maltese Cup once in 1986.

Twin towns — sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Malta

Rabat is twinned with:

• !Italy Tarquinia, Italy