The future is bright for historic Villa Frere gardens as Heritage Malta teams up with NGO
They’ll be working on the promotion, public availability, and the running and operation of the site.
Amidst ongoing restoration and regeneration work on the iconic Villa Frere gardens, an agreement between Heritage Malta and NGO Friends of Villa Frere has just been signed for the promotion, public availability, and the running and operation of the historical site.
The agreement, which is the first of its type, will ensure the proper upkeep, maintenance and accessibility of the site, which is fantastic news, particularly since it was in a state of total abandonment and disrepair, up until a few short years ago!
A little back story
British diplomat, poet, scholar and philanthropist John Hookham Frere created the 12-acre estate, which comprised the construction of a series of architectural follies including a fine Doric tempietto. In a sad yet romantic story, the demise of his wife in 1831 affected him so much that the creation of this garden was a means of comfort for his sadness. It is said that from the garden, which enjoyed wide open views spanning from Mdina right across to Valletta, he could also look out at the Msida Bastion Cemetery, where his wife was laid to rest.
Interestingly, Villa Frere became a sanctuary for numerous academics, poets and authors, most famously Mikiel Anton Vassalli who reportedly spent ample time in Pieta’ discussing with Hookham Frere on how to establish Maltese as a written and taught language.
This all came to an end with Hookham Frere’s death in 1846. The site fell into neglect until 40 years later, when the villa became the residence of Captain Edward Price. A notable garden enthusiast, he gave life back to the property, introducing a selection of exotic plants and creating different planting sections. The botanic garden soon became a prominent attraction, with renowned artists, painters, scholars and even monarchs having walked inside these lush grounds. In 1930, the gardens were featured in Country Life Magazine, a world-leading landscaping periodical, and attained international fame.
During WWII, Villa Frere sustained minor bomb damage, but in the years that followed, the construction of a primary school, a nursing school, a helipad for St Luke’s hospital, and a parking area, ate away at the once sprawling grounds. Today, just over a third of the original area survives, yet the mystique is very much alive!
Bringing the gardens back to life
Architect Edward Said, who specializes in building conservation, founded NGO Friends of Villa Frere in 2013. Having been introduced to the historical villa’s upper gardens during his architectural studies – at a time when the site was in a state of complete abandonment – he was captivated by its beauty and intrigued by its history, which compelled him to act and increase awareness, saving it from destruction.
While he is now dedicating himself to the restoration of the structures in the gardens, his colleague Fernando Mifsud, a landscaper and garden designer, is focusing on the regeneration of the gardens. A number of volunteers give them a hand in the vast work involved, while a variety of private, corporate and government entities help them out by sponsoring some of the material or services required. And now, this collaboration with Heritage Malta is a another step in the right direction towards the safeguarding, conservation, and restoration of the historic Villa Frere.
Each first Saturday morning of the month, the gardens of Villa Frere are open to the public. Entrance is free. Visit NGO Friends of Villa Frere to find out more!