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Paola, Malta

Paola
Raħal Ġdid
Pawla
Casal Paola, Casal Nuovo
Local council
Church of Christ the King
Church of Christ the King
Flag of Paola
Flag
Coat of arms of Paola
Coat of arms
Paola in Malta.svg
Coordinates: 35°52′22″N 14°30′27″E / 35.87278°N 14.50750°E / 35.87278; 14.50750Coordinates: 35°52′22″N 14°30′27″E / 35.87278°N 14.50750°E / 35.87278; 14.50750
Country  Malta
Region South Eastern Region
District Southern Harbour District
Founded 1626
Founded by Antoine de Paule
Borders Cospicua, Fgura, Luqa, Marsa, Santa Luċija, Tarxien
Government
 • Mayor Dominic Grima (PL)
Area
 • Total 2.5 km2 (1.0 sq mi)
Population (March 2014)
 • Total 7,864
 • Density 3,100/km2 (8,100/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Paolites
Pawlist (m), Pawlista (f), Pawlisti (pl)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code PLA
Dialing code 356
ISO 3166 code MT-39
Patron saint Christ the King; Our Lady of Lourdes
Day of festa 4th Sunday of July; 1st Sunday after 15 August
Website Official website

Paola (Maltese: Raħal Ġdid, Italian: Casal Nuovo, both meaning "New Town") is a town in the South Eastern Region of Malta, with a population of 7,864 people (March 2014). It is named after Grand Master Antoine de Paule, who laid the foundation stone in 1626. To encourage migration to Paola de Paul gave indemnity to the debts of the families who moved there. This account was recorded for the first time by de Solidanis in the eighteenth century. He says that in 1750 the village was not yet a parish on its own (part of Hal Taxien). Paola became almost deserted due to a local disease, but became increasingly habitable after intervention by captain Hunn.

Paola is renowned for the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, its large parish church (the largest church in the Maltese Islands), its beautiful square with shopping centres, the Good Friday procession, and its football club, Hibernians FC.

There are two parish churches, one dedicated to Christ the King and the other to Our Lady of Lourdes.

The feast of Christ the King is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of July and Our Lady of Lourdes is celebrated on the first Sunday after 17 August.

The parish also has a Franciscan church dedicated to Saint Anthony, in the Għajn Dwieli zone of the parish. St. Ubaldesca Church is the oldest church in Paola and was the first parish church there. In 2008 the church underwent minimal restoration.Villa Perellos, which is dedicated to the homonymous grand master, is a landmark of historical importance for the locality.

Mariam Al-Batool Mosque, the only mosque in Malta, as well as an Islamic Cultural Centre are found in Paola. The country's correctional facilities and the largest burial grounds, the Addolorata Cemetery are also in this town.


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Wikipedia

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