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Sa Maison Garden, Floriana
This beautiful garden is named in memory of Lady Julia Lockwood who used to live here from 1842 and 1856 until the British military took it over. This garden offers a stunning view over Msida marina towards Pieta, Msida and Ta’ Xbiex. Full of colourful vegetation, this place is perfect to chill and admire nature in perfect tranquillity as very few people visit this garden due to the steep descent to reach it. When visiting the gardens you can still see traces of when the garden was maintained by the army such as several crests of the regiment, that are engraved in the bastion walls inside the garden. A small model of a castle made of Maltese stone can be found in the garden as well, dedicated to the 2nd Battalion of the Essex Regiment. For amazing views over the Marsamxett Habour visit the watch tower called Knight’s Gardjola.
Tel:+356 21493170, +356 21493171
Where is it? Click here to found out!
Argotti Botanical Gardens, Floriana
Initially two separate private gardens on St James Bastion, the Knight Manoel Pinto de Fonseca who was to become Grandmaster, built one garden in 1720. The owner of the other garden, Ignatius de Argote et Gusman – from whom the name Argotti is derived – embellished them considerably, building his house there with a low profile for defence purposes. Several original architectural features survive, including the unique Nymphaeum and the Summer Villa, now converted into a visitors’ centre/museum of garden history and plant science. Argotti’s role as a Botanic Garden is connected to a garden of medicinal plants and botanical specimens created in 1674 by the Knights of St John at Fort St Elmo to serve the nearby hospital at the Sacra Infermeria, which garden the British moved to Argotti. The plant collections there have a predominantly Mediterranean climate focus, with a section dedicated to Maltese Flora. One of the oldest specimen in the garden is a truly impressive Dragon Blood tree, estimated to be over 250 years old, while other trees are over 100 years old. The huge Ficus macrophylla trees have become a landmark, with their entwined aerial roots fused together. This garden is the Commonwealth’s third oldest botanic garden and has more academic, rather than touristic interest.
Where is it? Click here to found out!
St. Philip’s Garden, Floriana
Beside Argotti Botanical Gardens, St Philip’s Garden is one of the oldest gardens of the country. Although it is rather hard to get to, the beautiful old trees and historic fountain, as well as views over the bastions make this a garden-lovers’ paradise. Due to the rough old paths and steps, this garden is not suitable for those with mobility problems.
Where is it? Click here to found out!
With a beautiful view on the Grand Harbour, Herbert Ganado Gardens is nice park to have a walk in, walking his dog or just sit and admire the panoramic view.
Msida Bastions:
This place is probably not the first place you would go but this cemetery is full of history. Indeed, The most famous Maltese buried here, Mikiel Anton Vassalli, the “father” of the Maltese language, who died on 12th January 1829, is buried with others 528 people, mainly British servicemen. The cemetery lies in the bastion formerly known as St Philip’s Bastion. The restoration was awarded the Silver Medal by Europa Nostra in 2002. In 2004 a small Museum of Maltese Burial Practices was opened in the building adjacent to the garden by the Minister of Tourism and Culture Dr. Francis Zammit Dimech and Director General of the National Trust of England, Wales and Northern Ireland Mrs. Fiona Reynolds
The Garden of Rest is open to visitors on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and the first Sundays of the month, from 9.30 am to 12.00 noon.
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Vilhena Garden
More like a hugh terrace than a garden, this belvedere site was created in 2000, on the initiative of the Floriana Local Council. Go there for magnificent views of Grand Harbour.
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Sir Luigi Preziosi Gardens
Named after the celebrated Maltese ophthalmic surgeon Sir Luigi Preziosi (1888-1965) who lived in the area, the gardens are perched on top of the bastions commanding an unparalleled view of Grand Harbour.
Where is it? Click here to found out!
King George V Recreational Grounds
This was Malta’s first ever playing field and would later house the headquarters of the Malta Playing Fields Association which was created in 1951. Today the grounds’ facilities include a tennis court and a football pitch.
Where is it? Click here to found out!
References:
https://www.guidememalta.com/en/a-tour-of-floriana-s-hidden-gardens
https://venuesinmalta.com/venue/herbert-ganado-gardens/
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