Paola (pop. 12,000), lying south of Mars 1km / 0.75mi from Grand Harbor, is a modern town with streets laid out on a regular grid plan.
Paola is the 17th century "new town" sewn into the north edge of Tarxien. Called Casal Nouva when it was founded in 1626, it was designed for the higher ground above the harbor to catch the sea breezes of summer
One of the sights here is the 1626 church Santa Ubaldesca, 350m west of the prison, and the new church dedicated to Christ the King, built in 1924. It has a Neo-Classical style and was built using modern techniques and materials.