Paola, town in Malta
Paola is a town in Malta's Port Region, sitting just inland from the Grand Harbour on gently sloping ground. The center is built from the pale local limestone common across Malta, with a grid of streets converging on a main square dominated by the parish church.
Paola was formally established in the early 17th century, when the Knights of St John organized settlement in the area around the Grand Harbour. Over time it grew as a residential town for workers and craftsmen tied to the port.
The town takes its name from Saint Francis of Paola, the founder of the Order of Minims. The parish church dedicated to him is the gathering point for local feasts and religious processions that still mark the calendar today.
Most points of interest are within easy walking distance of the main square, making the center straightforward to explore on foot. Some of the side streets have uneven paving, so sturdy footwear is a practical choice.
Beneath the streets of Paola lies Hal Saflieni, an underground burial site carved from rock around 5,000 years ago, long before the town above it existed. It sits directly below an ordinary residential neighborhood, with almost no trace of it visible from street level.
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