Restored Century-Old English Diplomat's Garden at Villa Frere, Nature's Reclaim vs Man's Redemption
Villa Frere Garden in Malta, a historic gem nestled in Pietà, has recently been granted the highest level of planning protection to safeguard its heritage. This cultural landmark has sparked an active campaign to save and restore it, reflecting its significant cultural value [4].
The restoration process is currently underway, bolstered by community and cultural events that aim to raise awareness and funds for the garden’s revival [2]. This is part of a larger, elegant area, often referred to as the Tempietto, which highlights its architectural and historical importance.
John Hookham Frere, an English diplomat, first created the garden in the early 1900s. Frere spared no expense, importing soil by ship to fill the garden and employing local craftsmen to build terraces, irrigation systems, classical temples, and other structures [1].
By the 1930s, the garden was a popular destination for visiting intellectuals, artists, writers, and friends of the Frere household. However, by 1939, the Price family had left, and the Maltese government took back the lease during the war years [3].
The garden fell into disrepair over the years, but in 2009, it was in a state of ruin, with only a few paving stones visible among the brambles [5]. Sufficient funds have been raised for structural renovation, with support from Heritage Malta and private sponsors.
Edward Price, a retired naval commander, lived at Villa Frere in the 20th century and returned the gardens to their former glory. The finished garden included flowering terraces, follies, ponds, fountains, and an orange grove [6].
In the restoration efforts, George Mifsud, Fernando's father, contributed his skills as a stonemason and carpenter. Fernando Mifsud, a horticulturist, joined the restoration team and prioritized the garden's beauty and enjoyment. Together, they located and explored several vast underground cisterns built by Frere, as well as a network of water channels and underground tanks [1].
Five wells were restored to hold water collected from the restored rooftops and terraces during rainfall. This network of water storage facilities was crucial for coping with the dry climate of Malta [1].
Now, the gardens are open to the public, maintained by a hard-working committee and a loyal group of volunteers. Mr. Said and his supporters, along with visitors, have begun the restoration of the Upper Gardens of Villa Frere, uncovering steps, wells, hidden plaques, a gazebo, a classical temple, and re-creating order from a wilderness [7].
The villa, Villa Hay, and the farmhouse are also undergoing restoration, with the villa being accessible for renovation soon. The restoration project has achieved what was once thought impossible, thanks to sheer determination [2].
In conclusion, Villa Frere Garden is a historic Maltese garden that has undergone extensive restoration. The garden, now a Grade I-listed monument of cultural heritage, is being preserved and revived through community and cultural events [2][4]. The garden's precise history prior to recent restoration initiatives may be scarce, but its current protection status and active restoration efforts underscore its importance in Malta’s cultural landscape.
References: 1. MaltaToday 2. Times of Malta 3. The Malta Independent 4. The Malta Independent 5. MaltaToday 6. The Times of Malta 7. The Malta Independent
