We love discovering hidden gems on the Maltese Islands, and when something new pops up, we’re always super interested to learn more. When Paul Hay moved here from England back in May, he was taken with all the history that Malta has to offer. We got in touch with him to get to know more about his unusual hobby – shooting videos of hidden spots around the islands.

“I started shooting videos so my friends in England can see what I’m up to because it’s very different from back home,” he tells us. “I have been here since May and it started out because I have a passion for photography, exploring and history. So, in my spare time I would research places, visit them, and document them before they are gone completely.”

Paul says he loves all the places he’s visited so far, but if he had to pick it would definitely be a strange yet incredible cave in Mellieha and a valley in Siggiewi. “Ghar u Casa is one of the best because I’m fascinated with how people lived in essentially a cave house during the same time when people lived in brick houses. Ghar u Casa is well preserved, it still had a toilet seat and window frames with curtains!” he notices.

“Another one of my personal favourites is in a valley near Siggiewi: a stone cut tomb about 20ft high (which to me reminds me of Petra style stone cutting).” Paul has visited other places too, like the underground military hospital in Mtarfa, Roman houses and Troglodyte settlements in Dingli, and a water gallery. Some are darn creepy. Have you SEEN the abandoned spots? There’s definitely something eerie in the air, if you ask us!

He says that during his adventures and explorations, it’s amazing to see how different time periods are brought to life. “While on these adventures you can see a few different time periods. I’ve come across Roman, Phoenician, Megalithic and Neolithic Ages,” he says, having been around a number of spots on the islands.

“I also find it fascinating that half of the history is not spoken about,” he notes, uncovering hidden gems through his videos. “Plus, I’m baffled at how such structures and caverns were built and cut with no machinery! The ancestors must have been very clever!”

Have you ever visited these hidden gems? 

Paul Hay