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 The history of Rabat dates back some 2,000 years when it made part of the old Roman city Mdina – then called Melita. It was the Arabs in fact that changed the name to Mdina and the part outside the gates, was called Rabat – meaning the suburb. Rabat has made its mark in history after it is said that St. Paul preached from St. Paul’s Grotto which is situated under where the church of St. Paul stands today. Throughout the Roman rule, the old city of Melita extended to a section of Rabat up to the Parish Church. The ditch that surrounded the city was riddled with caverns cut in rock that were utilised as burial places by the city’s inhabitants. Around 600 years ago, Rabat also served as a refuge and hiding place from the continuous attacks by pirates. During this time, a number of religious orders also arrived and set up churches, most of which are still present to this very day. Some 200 years later, the Order of St. John arrived and therefore Rabat gained importance once again since it was situated so close to Mdina. Although the list is not exhaustive, the following are a number of places of interest found in Rabat and its surroundings, all of which are within walking distance from ‘The Hidden Gem’. The Roman Villa – or Domus Romana: * walking distance to such location from ‘The Hidden Gem’ – approximately 400 metres / 5 minutes * recommended website reading links: http://www.maltacultureguide.com/index.php?page=article&article_id=27 & http://maltain360.com/page.aspx?ref=110004949 Wignacourt Museum: * walking distance to such location from ‘The Hidden Gem’ – approximately 150 metres / 2 minutes * recommended website reading link: http://www.wignacourtmuseum.com St. Paul’s Church and Grotto: * walking distance to such location from ‘The Hidden Gem’ – approximately 70 metres / 1 minute * recommended website reading links: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/malta/rabat-st-pauls-church & http://maltain360.com/page.aspx?ref=110016957 Sanctuary of St. Joseph: * walking distance to such location from ‘The Hidden Gem’ – approximately 190 metres / 2 minutes * recommended website reading links: http://maltain360.com/page.aspx?ref=110023438 & http://maltain360.com/page.aspx?ref=110023335 Santo Spirito Pharmacy & National Archives of Malta: * walking distance to such location from ‘The Hidden Gem’ – approximately 280 metres / 3 minutes * recommended website reading lin: http://maltain360.com/page.aspx?ref=120003332 St. Paul’s Catacombs: * walking distance to such location from ‘The Hidden Gem’ – approximately 240 metres / 3 minutes * recommended website reading links: http://www.maltacultureguide.com/index.php?page=article&article_id=26 & http://maltain360.com/page.aspx?ref=110007443 St. Agatha’s Catacombs: * walking distance to such location from ‘The Hidden Gem’ – approximately 300 metres / 4 minutes * recommended website reading link: http://stagathamalta.com/catacombs.html  Mdina: * walking distance to such location from ‘The Hidden Gem’ – approximately 600 metres / 6 minutes * recommended website reading links: http://www.mdinacouncil.com & http://maltain360.com/page.aspx?ref=110009859 National Museum of Natural History: * walking distance to such location from ‘The Hidden Gem’ – approximately 650 metres / 8 minutes * recommended website reading links: http://heritagemalta.org/museums-sites/national-museum-of-natural-history & http://maltain360.com/page.aspx?ref=110005027 Falson House (formerly known as the Norman House): * walking distance to such location from ‘The Hidden Gem’ – approximately 900 metres / 10 minutes * recommended website reading links: http://www.palazzofalson.com & http://www.maltacultureguide.com/index.php?page=article&article_id=17 & http://maltain360.com/page.aspx?ref=110013654 Mdina Cathedral & Museum: * walking distance to such location from ‘The Hidden Gem’ – approximately 900 metres / 10 minutes * recommended website reading link: http://www.maltacultureguide.com/index.php?page=article&article_id=16 Verdala Palace: * walking distance to such location from ‘The Hidden Gem’ – approximately 3.4 kilometres / 43 minutes * recommended website reading links: http://maltain360.com/page.aspx?ref=110013435 & http://maltain360.com/page.aspx?ref=110013273 Chadwick Lakes: * walking distance to such location from ‘The Hidden Gem’ – approximately 2.7 kilometres / 32 minutes * recommended website reading link: http://www.airmalta.com/destinations/malta/best-of-malta/walking-and-trekking/chadwick-lakes-air-malta Recommended websites links to explore before coming to Malta: * http://www.visitmalta.com * http://www.qualityassuredmalta.com * http://www.themaltaexperience.com * http://thefortressbuilders.weebly.com * http://maltain360.com/page.aspx?ref=search * http://www.transport.gov.mt * https://www.publictransport.com.mt/en/trip-planner * http://www.gozochannel.com/en/home.htm * http://www.visitmalta.com/en/blueflag Other recommended websites links in respect of: The Maltese Fortifications: * http://thefortressbuilders.weebly.com & http://www.visitmalta.com/en/fortifications-and-towers & https://vassallohistory.wordpress.com/fortifications Numerous Churches * http://www.visitmalta.com/en/religious-sites Diverse Restaurants and eating places * http://www.qualityassuredmalta.com/listings/restaurants Diving experience: * https://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_1860871619&feature=iv&src_vid=YHzqHMQ2xGM&v=isFBQFhfI_s |