Rabat, Malta

Rabat
Ir-Rabat
Local council
Collegiate Basilica of St. Paul in Rabat
Collegiate Basilica of St. Paul in Rabat
Flag of Rabat
Flag
Coat of arms of Rabat
Coat of arms
Motto: 
Ġawhra Prezzjuża Magħrufa Tleqq
(Original Latin: Notabilis gemma fulget)
(English: A precious gem known as radiant.)
Coordinates: 35°52′54″N 14°23′56″E / 35.88167°N 14.39889°E / 35.88167; 14.39889
CountryMalta
RegionWestern Region
DistrictWestern District
BordersAttard, Dingli, Mdina, Mġarr, Mosta, Mtarfa, Siġġiewi, Żebbuġ
Government
 • TypeMayor–council government
 • BodyRabat Local Council
 • MayorSandro Craus (PL)
Area
 • Total
26.64 km2 (10.29 sq mi)
Population
 (Jul 2024)
 • Total
12,329
 • Density462.8/km2 (1,199/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Rabti (m), Rabtija (f), Rabtin (pl)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
RBT
Dialing code356
ISO 3166 codeMT-46
Patron saintSaint Paul; Saint Joseph; Corpus Christi; Our Lady of The Girdle; Our Lady of Good Health; Saint Martin; Immaculate Conception
Day of festaFirst Sunday of July; March 19; Second Sunday of June; First Sunday of September; Second Sunday of October; Nearest Sunday to November 11; December 8
Websitewww.rabatlocalcouncil.com

Rabat (Maltese: Ir-Rabat [ɪˈrːɐbɐt]) is a town in the Western Region of Malta. It adjoins the ancient capital city of Mdina, and a north-western part of Rabat was in the Roman city of Melite until its medieval retrenchment. The population of Rabat was 12,329 in July 2024. This included 6,249 males and 6,080 females; 10,996 Maltese nationals and 1,333 foreign nationals.

The Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See to the Republic of Malta is seated in this village. The Local Council of Rabat is also the administrator of Baħrija. Parts of the films Munich and Black 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 the Northern Region to the newly-created Western Region as part of a reorganization of the regions of Malta.

Etymology

Rabat is an Arabic word which can mean "fortified town" or "suburb". The Arabic term Ribat refers to a small fortification to host military volunteers.

Catacombs

Rabat is home to the Catacombs of St. Paul and of St. Agatha. The Romans dug these catacombs outside their city as a burial place for the dead; they considered burial in the city unhygienic. 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.

The Catacombs of St. Paul are now administered by Heritage Malta. Part of St. Paul's Catacombs, the part accessible from the Parish tradition and as recorded in the Bible, St. Paul stayed here for three months when he was shipwrecked on the island in AD 60.

In the Catacombs of St Agatha's, there are over 500 graves of several types, the majority being children's graves. There are sections for pagans and Jews, as well as for Christians. There are also unique frescoes. Another feature of the Maltese catacombs is the agape table, two of which, carved out of bedrock, were found in the Catacombs of St. Paul.

Buildings

Hotel Point de Vue, Rabat, in the 1930s

Districts in Rabat

Thoroughfares

Band clubs and feasts

Sport

Rabat has its own football club called Rabat Ajax F.C. Rabat won the Maltese Premier League twice (1984–85 Maltese Premier League and 1985–86 Maltese Premier League), and the Maltese Cup once in 1986.

Twin towns – sister cities

Rabat is twinned with:

References

  1. 1 2 "Mid-year population estimates by locality, sex and citizenship: 2012-2024". National Statistics Office.
  2. ↑ Tesch, Noah, ed. (2013). Cyprus, Greece, and Malta. The Britannica Guide to Countries of the European Union. Britannica Educational Publishing. p. 150. ISBN 9781615309856. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  3. ↑ Northedge, Alastair. "ʿAbbāsid art and architecture". Encyclopedia of Islam. 3.
  4. ↑ "UNESCO". whc.unesco.org. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  5. ↑ "ThoughtCo". ThoughtCo.com. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Catacombs - St. Agatha, Malta". stagathamalta.com. Retrieved 2024-04-07.
  7. ↑ "Heritage Malta". HeritageMalta.mt. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  8. ↑ Rix, Juliet (2010). Malta and Gozo. London: Bradt travel guides. p. 8. ISBN 978-1-84162-312-2.
  9. ↑ Travelling Wizards (2011). Malta - The Mythical Island. Travelling Wizards. p. 27. ISBN 9781460921012.
  10. ↑ Rix, Juliet (2013). Malta and Gozo. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 225. ISBN 9781841624525.
  11. ↑ "Banda Konti Ruggieru". Archived from the original on 2011-01-28.
  12. ↑ "Twinning". localgovernment.gov.mt. Government of Malta. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2019-09-18.