Conservation, maintenance and restoration works have commenced at San Anton Gardens, with an investment of more than €3 million aimed at safeguarding one of Malta's most prestigious gardens, the government said Saturday.
During a site visit together with members of the Attard Local Council and the Project Green team, Environment Minister Miriam Dalli said that the project was another example of the Government's continued commitment to protecting Malta's historical and environmental heritage, while ensuring that such spaces remain accessible and safe for the public.
"San Anton Gardens are among our country's most historically and culturally significant open spaces. Through this project, we are protecting their unique characteristics so that they may also be enjoyed by future generations, while continuing to provide a high-quality experience for the thousands of people who visit them every year," Minister Miriam Dalli said.
The project will respect the site's history, which dates back to the 17th century, when the gardens were created around San Anton Palace. Over the years, the gardens developed into one of Malta's most iconic open spaces, renowned for their extensive collection of mature trees, ornamental plants, monuments and architectural features of historical value.
Today, San Anton Gardens not only provide the public with a space for relaxation and recreation, but also represent cultural and natural heritage of national importance, deserving of the highest standards of protection and conservation, the government said.
The Head of Project Design at Project Green, Benjamin Vassallo, explained that the maintenance, restoration and conservation of the gardens, walls, pathways, structures and existing decorative features will be carried out in different phases.
"This is a conservation project that requires extensive planning and sensitive interventions. The works have therefore been divided into a number of phases so that, while work is being carried out in a particular area, the rest of the gardens can remain open to the public. Once each phase is completed, that area will reopen before work begins on the next section."
Given the sensitive nature of the project, the works are being carried out with great care. The interventions include the meticulous removal and replacement of the existing paving slabs, each of which is being individually inspected. Slabs that remain in good condition are being numbered, preserved and reused to retain as much of the gardens' historical authenticity as possible.
This is a delicate and time-consuming process, but one that is essential to safeguarding the site's historical and architectural value.
This phased approach will allow the public to continue enjoying San Anton Gardens throughout the works, while ensuring that all conservation interventions are carried out to the highest standards and with full respect for the historic garden.
The intervention follows an extensive technical assessment that identified the conservation needs of this sensitive site, which is scheduled as a Grade 1 property.