Rabat (, ) is a town in the Northern Region of Malta, with a population of 11,497 as of March 2014. It adjoins the ancient capital city of Mdina, and a north-western area formed part of the Roman city of Melite until its medieval retrenchment. 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). Etymology Rabat is a Semitic word which can mean "fortified town" or "suburb". Catacombs Rabat is home to the famous Catacombs of St. Paul and of St. Agatha. These catacombs were used in Roman times to bury the dead as, according to Roman culture, it was unhygienic to bury the dead in the city. Mdina and parts of Rabat were 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 looked after 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 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 for children. There are sections for pagans and Jews, as well as for Christians. There are also unique frescoes. Another interesting feature in the Maltese catacombs is the agape table, two of which, carved out of bedrock, were found in the Catacombs of St. Paul. Buildings St Pauls Collegiate and Grotto Nativity of Our Lady church (k.a. Ta’Qasha) in St Rita Street. St. Pauls - Count Roger Band Club Archbishop Seminary Augustinian Priory Annunciation Church (Carmelite Fathers) Casa Cosmana Navarra Church dedicated to St Martin of Tours (Baħrija) Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (Mtaħleb) Church of St. Catherine (Tad-Daħla) Church of the Immaculate Conception (Wied Gerżuma) Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (Tas-Salib) Church of the Blessed Virgin (Dominican Order) Church of the Blessed Virgin (Franciscan Minors) Church of St. Francis (Conventual Franciscans)