Gonna tal-Kmand- History, horticulture – and a maze!

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The Gonna tal-Kmand (Commanders’ Gardens) were set up by Sir Alexander Ball, the naval commander of the blockade against the French for use by each village’s temporary Lieutenant. His love for nature and wish to encourage the loyalty of local militia leaders brought about the building of some 21 gardens known as as “IL-Gnien tal-Kmand”, between 1802 and 1809 and though most don’t exist any more, these gardens survive at Qrendi, Mqabba, Ghaxaq, Gudja, Zejtun, Gharghur, Safi (Known as il-Gnien ta’ Bali) and Lija and are used to experiment new crops and agricultural practices.

The gardens’ layout is influenced by 18th-century Italian gardens, each garden being surrounded by high boundary walls, while elegant stone pathways flanked by pillars run down the middle. The trees are irrigated by stone water conduits and most also have some service rooms enhanced by pigeon holes. The entrances of some of the gardens were decorated by a sculpted relief of the royal cypher of King George III, and they also have an inscription as follows: “This garden was commenced and completed under the administration of the knight and baronet Alexander John Ball for George the Third, King of Great Britain, ruler of the islands of Malta and Gozo, for the use of the temporary lieutenants of the village in everlasting sacred memory.”

Surviving gardens:

Il-Ġnien tal-Kmand in Attard is located at Triq Hannibal while The garden at nearby Balzan is located at Triq in-Naxxar, close to Ta’ Ganu Windmill. Il-Ġnien tal-Kmand in Gudja is located at Triq Bir Miftuħ.
The garden at Safi known as Sir Alexander Ball’s Garden is located at Triq ta’ Ġawhar and is open to the public. The garden at Siġġiewi is found at Triq Lapsi (Lapsi Street). The Żebbuġ garden is to be found at Triq it-Tiġrija while Il-Ġnien tal-Kmand in Mosta is located at Triq il-Kbira. All these gardens are now scheduled Grade 1 sites.

The garden at Għargħur is located at the aptly-named Triq il-Ġnien and includes a building which served as the house of the Luogotenente. A commemorative plaque in Italian making reference to King George III, and an incomplete sculpture of the British insignia are found above the main entrance. The house and garden are leased to private individuals and are not accessible to the public.

The garden at Lija is located at Triq Annibale Preca in an area known as Tal-Mirakli close to the boundary with Attard. This garden has been partially built up as the Plant Biotechnology Centre and its laboratories. It has reservoirs which feed into the nearby San Anton Palace. It is open to the public during events or by appointment as Ġnien il-Pjanti Maltin (Maltese Plants Garden).

Luqa Briffa Garden in Żejtun is located at the corner of Triq Xrobb l-Għaġin and Triq id-Daħla ta’ San Tumas The entrance is embellished with the royal cypher and an inscription. Designed by Michele Cachia, the Żejtun garden is well-maintained, and it is open to the public as Luqa Briffa Garden.

The Qrendi garden is the largest of the surviving gardens, and is divided into two sections; a charming enclosed garden where one finds orange, lemon, pear, pomegranate, fig, medlar and plum trees, prickly pears and olive trees as well as palms. The field beyond is mainly used for horticulture, while on the side a maze has been created – possibly the only one in Malta!