A forgotten shelter has been rediscovered in Paola
A trekker has discovered what he believes is one of the biggest shelters in Paola after decades of it being hidden in plain sight.
Amateur historian Conrad Neil Gatt was notified about a peculiar opening on Triq Nazzarenu around two weeks ago, where work was being carried out.
When he arrived at the scene, he explored the opening and, to his surprise, found a flight of stairs leading him to believe a shelter was present.
Documents from the National Archives later confirmed that he had encountered a World War II shelter that could be 100 metres long.
The Paola local council said it was not previously aware of the shelter and has contacted the superintendence of cultural heritage for more information.
Gatt, who has previously helped save other shelters in Mosta and Luqa from being paved over, said he hoped to do the same for the discovery in his hometown.
“We obviously can’t save all the shelters but if, by chance, we discover one, it is then our responsibility to make sure it is taken care of,” he said.
He believes the shelter stretches from Triq Nazzarenu to Triq Luqa but it is possible it could go on further.
Gatt hopes the shelter will be cleaned, properly documented and available for the public to enjoy on special occasions.
A separate war shelter under Paola’s Santa Ubaldeska Square is opened occasionally to the public, including at Easter.
He hopes the shelter can be preserved soon, believing that exposing the opening could easily cause someone to get hurt.
Gatt has become known for highlighting lost shelters by entering them and documenting what he sees.
He is often the first person to have explored these spaces in decades.
“Of course, there is an element of risk but it’s worth that risk to safeguard our history,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage said the slab at the entrance to the shelter will be put back “to ensure its preservation”.
There is an element of risk but it’s worth that risk to safeguard our history