A much-loved botanical garden in Floriana has received a €2.4 million facelift, with bastions and stone fountains restored, new tiling and irrigation systems and much-improved lighting. 

The renovated Argotti Gardens were inaugurated by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in a ceremony held on Friday evening. 

Works to improve the gardens and their surroundings began in 2016, when bastions started being restored, with repairs to the gardens themselves starting 12 months ago. 

READ: Origins and history of Argotti Gardens

Argotti Gardens date back to the mid-19th century, when experts transferred a botanical garden set up at the Maglio Gardens first to Villa Sarria, and then to Argotti. 

The public section of the garden was opened in 1974. Today, as well as a public garden, it serves as a base of conservation projects and the propogation of rare plant species.  

"Gardens such as these make our towns and villages better places to live," Dr Muscat said as he encouraged local councils to identify more public spaces which could do with sprucing up.  

Environment Minister Jose Herrera thanked all those who contributed to the restoration works, including the Parks Directorate, Wasteserv, Restoration Directorate and botanists at the University of Malta, who care for the botanical garden. 

Photo: DOIPhoto: DOI

Photo: DOIPhoto: DOI

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