Rabat Ir-Rabat | |
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 Flag  Coat of arms | |
| Motto: Ġawhra Prezzjuża Magħrufa Tleqq (Original Latin: Notabilis gemma fulget) (English: A precious gem known as radiant.) | |
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| Coordinates:35°52′54″N14°23′56″E / 35.88167°N 14.39889°E /35.88167; 14.39889 | |
| Country | Malta |
| Region | Western Region |
| District | Western District |
| Borders | Attard,Dingli,Mdina,Mġarr,Mosta,Mtarfa,Siġġiewi,Żebbuġ |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council government |
| • Body | Rabat Local Council |
| • Mayor | Sandro Craus (PL) |
| Area | |
• Total | 26.64 km2 (10.29 sq mi) |
| Population (2021) | |
• Total | 11,936 |
| • Density | 448.0/km2 (1,160/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Rabti (m), Rabtija (f), Rabtin (pl) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | RBT |
| Dialing code | 356 |
| ISO 3166 code | MT-46 |
| Patron saint | Saint Paul;Saint Joseph;Corpus Christi; Our Lady of The Girdle;Our Lady of Good Health;Saint Martin;Immaculate Conception |
| Day of festa | First Sunday of July; March 19; Second Sunday of June; First Sunday of September; Second Sunday of October; Nearest Sunday to November 11; December 8 |
| Website | www |
Rabat (Maltese:Ir-Rabat[ɪˈrːɐbɐt]) is a town in theWestern Region ofMalta, with a population of 11,497 as of March 2014.[1] It adjoins the ancient capital city ofMdina, and a north-western part of Rabat was in the Roman city ofMelite untilits medieval retrenchment.
TheApostolic Nunciature of theHoly See to the Republic of Malta is seated in this village. The Local Council of Rabat is also the administrator ofBaħrija. Parts of the filmsMunich andBlack Eagle were shot in Rabat. In December 1999,Mtarfa was split from Rabat to form a separate Local Council by Act XXI, an amendment to the Local Council Act of 1993 (Act XV). In 2021, Rabat was transferred from theNorthern Region to the newly-created Western Region as part of a reorganization of theregions of Malta.
Rabat is anArabic word which can mean "fortified town" or "suburb".[2] The Arabic termRibat refers to a small fortification to host military volunteers.[3]
Rabat is home to the Catacombs ofSt. Paul and ofSt. Agatha.[4] The Romans dug thesecatacombs outside their city as a burial place for the dead; they considered burial in the city unhygienic.[5]Mdina and parts of Rabat were later built on top of the ancient Roman city of Melite. The Maltese catacombs were never meant to be hiding places during persecutions or as living quarters.[6]
TheCatacombs of St. Paul are now administered byHeritage Malta.[7] Part of St. Paul's Catacombs, the part accessible from the Parish tradition and as recorded in theBible, St. Paul stayed here for three months when he was shipwrecked on the island in AD 60.[8]
In the Catacombs of St Agatha's, there are over 500 graves of several types, the majority being children's graves. There are sections forpagans andJews, as well as for Christians. There are also uniquefrescoes.[9] Another feature of the Maltese catacombs is theagape table, two of which, carved out of bedrock, were found in the Catacombs of St. Paul.[10]
Rabat has its ownfootball club calledRabat Ajax F.C. Rabat won the Maltese Premier League twice (1984–85 Maltese Premier League and1985–86 Maltese Premier League), and the Maltese Cup once in 1986.
Tarquinia, Italy
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