It's affectionately known to locals as 'the wedding cake'.
The iconic Lija Belvedere Tower is scheduled to be restored to its former glory after permission was granted by the Planning Commission for works to proceed.
Some parts of the Belvedere are in dire need of restoration, in particular the column capitals and shafts, which are sadly showing signs of severe deterioration. Such weathering is dangerous to the upper areas of the tower, so the restoration efforts couldn't have come at a better time!
The original Belvedere Tower was designed and built by architect Giuseppe Bonavia in 1857, and served as a folly within the private gardens of the 17th century Villa Gourigon, belonging to the Marquis Depiro. A symbol of power and wealth, the Tower was highly visible from several other parts of the surrounding villages.
In the 1950s, part of the villa’s gardens were destroyed to make way for new roads, and the Tower was (and remains to this day) retained as a roundabout, becoming a known landmark of the area.
The restoration project will be handled by the Malta Tourism Authority and the Lija Council, endorsed by the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage. The Belvedere Tower was granted Grade 1 protection status back in 1996. We can't wait to see the results!