Ġnejnet Nikol Aquilina (il-Maqluba)

Ġnejnet Nikol Aquilina is located right next to St. Matthew’s Chapel in Qrendi, and the famous ‘Maqluba’ sinkhole. Il-Maqluba, which means “the upside down” in Maltese, is a 165-foot-wide, 50-foot-deep sinkhole in Qrendi, a very quaint, quiet town located near the Mnajdra and Ħaġar Qim Temples. This intriguing geological phenomenon, situated on the southern outskirts of the village, originated in 1343, possibly due to either an earthquake or a formidable storm. Myths quickly emerged regarding its origin, with one narrative suggesting that a virtuous woman attempted to caution the residents of the settlement about the need to mend their improper behavior, lest divine intervention lead the earth to engulf them. The location is preserved within the Natura 2000 EU network and serves as a habitat for unique indigenous fungi and plants, including the rare Maltese Salt Tree.