Rabat

Located beside the Silent City of Mdina, Rabat is a town steeped in history, filled with warm limestone streets, ancient Roman ruins, Christian catacombs, and the charm of everyday Maltese life. The word Rabat itself derives from the Arabic for “suburb” or “fortified town”, reflecting the town’s origins as the outer settlement of the ancient capital Melite. One of Malta’s most historically significant and culturally rich towns, Rabat offers a rare and authentic way of life that few places on the island can match.

History

Rabat was part of Melita, the ancient Roman city, over 2,000 years ago. When the Arabs arrived, they fortified the inner area and named it Mdina, while the outer settlement became known as Rabat. In the 15th century, Rabat became a place of spiritual significance, as religious orders established their presence throughout the town.

Located just outside the gates of Mdina, the Domus Romana — a Roman villa dating to the 1st century BC — houses some of the finest preserved mosaic pavements in Europe. For those drawn to Malta’s Christian heritage, Rabat offers around ten churches, the Wignacourt Museum with its Knights of Malta-era art collection, and the celebrated Catacombs of St Paul and St Agatha.

Lifestyle

Rabat is characterised by a network of streets lined with traditional buildings adorned with wooden Gallarija balconies. The town transforms from morning to evening as visitors explore its catacombs, churches, and Roman mosaics, whilst its cafés and restaurants serve some of the finest traditional Maltese cuisine on the island.

Where Mdina is quiet and noble, Rabat is lively and rooted in everyday life — the two towns complement each other beautifully, offering visitors and residents alike a captivating journey through Malta’s past.