The Malta Tourism Authority has contributed Lm8,000 towards the restoration work being carried out at Argotti Gardens as it believes that they are part of Malta’s historical and cultural heritage and will eventually become a tourist attraction, Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said yesterday.

Dr Zammit Dimech was seeing the restoration work being carried out to Villa De Argote, which is found in the botanical part of Argotti Gardens.

He said that the villa will be transformed into a botanical museum, open to the public at the request of tourists, and added that several school children had already visited the site. “With the re-opening of this historical building, we will be continuing to improve our Maltese tourist product,” said Dr Zammit Dimech.

Following a tour of the premises, he presented a cheque to Botanical Gardens curator Joseph Buhagiar.