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.
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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.
Band clubs and feasts
St. Paul, Conte Roger Band Club (Każin San Pawl Banda Konti Ruġġieru)
St. Joseph, L'Isle Adam Band Club A.D. 1860 (L-Għaqda Mużikali L'Isle Adam A.D. 1860) http://www.bandalisleadam.com/
Festa Titulari tal-martirju ta’ San Pawl http://sanpawl.rabatmalta.com
Festa Sekondarja ta' San Gużepp http://sanguzepp.rabatmalta.com
Festa Prinċipali u Solenni ta' Corpus Domini
Festa tal-Madonna taċ-Ċintura http://www.rabatmalta.com/amcsaa
Festa ta' Santa Katarina tad-daħla
Festa ta' San Anton Abbati
Festa tal-Madonna tas-Saħħa
Festa tal-Immakulata Kunċizzjoni
Festa tat-Twelid ta-Marija - l-Imtaħleb
Festa ta' San Martin - Baħrija
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:
Tarquinia, Italy