To be renovated again for its environmental wonders
By Albert Fenech
Pictures from the Malta Govt Department of Information, the Gardens itself and Pinterest
In January of 1954, as I approached my eighth birthday, my family (father, mother and younger brother) immigrated to London in England.
With me, I took three principle dreams – playing football (of course!), accompanying my father on his boat for fishing trips, and San Anton Gardens as the fulcrum of my dreams.
Why the Gardens? In those days public gardens were virtually unknown in Malta and Gozo. The islands were clusters of closely knit towns and villages with rows and rows of houses although some had a little central square.
It was unheard of that a common man would also minimally have a garden and small yards with potted plants and a well were widespread. Gardens were for the rich, titled and privileged.
In those days too there was no environmental awareness, not a clue about open spaces and the joys of better living were the frequent festas and public holidays to be enjoyed at home with the family. For the common man – unless in the military – overseas travel was a total non-starter!
The only “open spaces” were strictly guarded agricultural fields and unused or neglected lands used to dump all sorts of refuse and rubbish.
My substitute for all these were the four or five annual visits on which my mother took my brother and I to visit the only public garden – San Anton Gardens, to enjoy the colour and greenery of the environment, feel open space and walk and run along freely on the pathways.
Being in London and elsewhere in England opened a new vista; all houses had their garden (no hi-rise monstrosities then) and there were even free green parks everywhere where a boy could kick a football, run, jump, shout and scream!
I missed the sea of course, but there were rivers and swimming pools.
I live back in Malta now and all these came to mind with the recent announcement that over the coming months an extensive restoration, conservation and maintenance project will take place in the San Anton Gardens on Attard.
The site was San Anton Palace used by the Grandmasters of the Order of St John as their summer residence, in central Malta and away from dangerous marine coasts always subject to bombardment.
In the early 17th Century, Grandmaster Antoine de Paule decided to complement the residence with a large garden, a venue for exotic trees, plants and bushes, including fountains and pools and the presence of peacocks and other exotic birds.
When the Knights departed and were replaced by the British in the early 19th Century, Admiral Sir Alexander Ball opened the Gardens to the general public and the Gardens were subsequently enhanced and upgraded by successive Governors.
In recent years the Gardens have also become an attractive venue for floral exhibitions and musical events and song birds in large cages.
The Gardens cover almost 40,000 square metres and the rehabilitation process will include plant and flower bushes, structures, walls, benches and passageways.
The main aim is to conserve the architecture, to safeguard the integrity of the garden, and to ensure a beautiful and secure experience to the public.
Helpfully, within walking distance there is an excellent restaurant at the Five Star Corinthia Palace Hotel as well as the Melita and Rickshaw bars and restaurants.
TripAdvisor rates the Gardens 40% Five Star and 60% Four Stars.
There is a frequent to and from public bus service from Valletta and very ample parking spaces around the Gardens.
For further details contact ambjentmalta.gov.mt/contact/ or ring 00356 2331 6700.
Your holiday trip to Malta and Gozo cannot be said to be complete unless you visit San Anton Gardens!
ALBERT FENECH
