Works have officially begun on a €3 million conservation and restoration project at San Anton Gardens, with the aim of preserving one of Malta’s most iconic public gardens while keeping it open to visitors throughout the process.Environment Minister Miriam Dalli visited the site alongside members of the Attard Local Council and Project Green, describing the investment as another step in safeguarding Malta’s historical and environmental heritage.“San Anton Gardens are among our country’s most historically and culturally significant open spaces,” Dalli said. “Through this project, we are protecting their unique characteristics so they can continue to be enjoyed by future generations.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lovin Malta (@lovinmalta)Dating back to the 17th century, the gardens were originally created around San Anton Palace and have since become one of Malta’s best-known green spaces, home to mature trees, ornamental plants, monuments and historic architectural features.The restoration will be carried out in phases to minimise disruption, allowing large sections of the gardens to remain open while work takes place in specific areas.According to Project Green, the project includes the conservation of the gardens, walls, pathways, structures and decorative features.One of the more delicate aspects of the restoration involves the existing paving slabs. Each slab will be carefully removed and inspected individually, with those still in good condition being numbered, preserved and reinstalled to retain the gardens’ historic character.San Anton Gardens are protected as a Grade 1 scheduled property, meaning all interventions must meet strict conservation standards while respecting the site’s historical significance.The project follows an extensive technical assessment that identified the conservation work needed to preserve one of Malta’s most treasured public spaces for years to come.What do you make of this restoration?•