Tucked away in the heart of Pietà , overlooking the scenic Marsamxett Harbour, lies a remarkable testament to Malta’s rich botanical and cultural heritage: Villa Frere. This once-magnificent estate, with its cascading gardens and architectural elegance, stands as a silent witness to the island’s multilayered past and represents one of Malta’s most significant yet underappreciated historical treasures.
The History of Villa Frere
Villa Frere’s story begins in the early 19th century, during a time when Malta was under British rule. The property was purchased in 1834 by John Hookham Frere, a distinguished British diplomat, scholar, and poet who had served as British Minister Plenipotentiary to Spain and was a close friend of celebrated literary figures like George Canning and Sir Walter Scott.
After a distinguished diplomatic career and following the death of his beloved wife Elizabeth in 1831, Frere sought a peaceful retreat where he could enjoy his passion for classical literature and gardening. Malta, with its Mediterranean climate and classical heritage, proved the perfect sanctuary for this scholarly gentleman.
Upon acquiring the property, Frere transformed what was once a simple country house into an elegant villa surrounded by spectacular terraced gardens. These gardens would eventually become known throughout the Mediterranean as one of the most beautiful and botanically diverse private collections of the era.
Frere spent the remaining years of his life at the villa, dedicating himself to his scholarly pursuits and tending to his magnificent gardens until his death in 1846. He was buried in Malta, in the garden he so lovingly created, before his remains were later moved to Westminster Abbey, showing his importance in British history and culture.
The Botanical Wonder
What made Villa Frere truly special was its extraordinary gardens. Going down in seven terraces from the main house toward the harbour, these gardens were one of the most impressive botanical achievements in Malta’s history.
Under Frere’s careful direction, the gardens became a paradise of Mediterranean and exotic plants. Reports from that time describe the beauty of tropical specimens, rare cacti, flowering vines, and ancient olive trees that turned the terraced landscape into a green wonderland. The gardens were carefully planned to create a series of outdoor rooms, each with its own character and purpose.
After Frere’s death, the gardens continued to thrive under later owners who recognised their importance. The estate reached its peak of botanical glory in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when it attracted visits from European royalty and distinguished guests, including Queen Adelaide (widow of King William IV), who specifically asked to see these famous gardens during her stay in Malta.
Distinguished Visitors
Over the years, Villa Frere welcomed an impressive array of notable guests. Beyond Queen Adelaide’s well-documented visit, the villa’s guest book included numerous British colonial administrators, European aristocrats, and renowned botanists of the era. Sir Walter Scott, a close friend of Frere, is believed to have corresponded about the gardens though there is no record of his visiting in person. Naval officers stationed in Malta were frequent visitors, with Admiral Sir Thomas Fremantle among those who admired the terraced landscape. These distinguished visitors helped spread the reputation of Villa Frere’s botanical splendour throughout Europe, establishing it as a must-see destination for cultured travellers to Malta during the 19th century.
The Hookham Frere Family Legacy
John Hookham Frere’s story is closely tied to the broader story of British-Maltese relations during an important period in Mediterranean history. Born in 1769 to a distinguished Norfolk family, Frere was educated at Eton and Cambridge, where he showed remarkable talent for classical scholarship and poetry. His diplomatic career brought him to various European courts during the Napoleonic Wars, where he played a significant role in British foreign policy.
His marriage to Elizabeth Jemima, Dowager Countess of Erroll, was a partnership of intellectual equals. Though they had no children of their own, they maintained close ties with Frere’s extended family, many of whom visited the villa during his lifetime and afterwards.
After Frere’s death, the property remained in the hands of his nephews for several decades. The Frere family continued to maintain connections with Malta long after John’s death, contributing to the island’s cultural and intellectual life in various ways.
A Heritage Under Threat
Despite its illustrious history, the fate of Villa Frere has been uncertain over the past century. After World War II, the property fell into a period of neglect. In the 1980s, parts of the expansive gardens were lost to development, reducing the once-vast estate to a fraction of its original size.
The remaining portions of the villa and its gardens continued to deteriorate until recent years, when heritage activists recognised the urgent need to preserve this unique cultural landscape. The NGO Friends of Villa Frere was established with the main purpose of saving and restoring what remained of this important site.
Through their tireless efforts, significant portions of the gardens have been cleaned, restored, and made accessible to the public during special open days. Archaeological work has revealed original pathways, water features, and garden structures that had been hidden under decades of neglect.
The Architectural Significance
Beyond its botanical importance, Villa Frere represents a fine example of early 19th-century domestic architecture in Malta. The villa itself, built in a neo-classical style with local limestone, features elegant proportions and distinctive architectural elements that blend British sensibilities with Mediterranean practicality.
The property includes several remarkable features that highlight its architectural significance. The elegant stone balustrades, ornate fountains, and classical statuary scattered throughout the gardens create a harmonious dialogue between the built and natural environments. The garden structures, including stone pavilions, a small temple, and various water features, reveal a sophisticated understanding of landscape design principles that were revolutionary for Malta at that time.
Cultural Value Beyond Borders
Villa Frere’s significance extends far beyond Malta’s shores. As the home of a British intellectual and diplomat, the villa became a centre of cultural exchange between Britain and the Mediterranean. During Frere’s lifetime, it welcomed distinguished visitors from across Europe, serving as an informal salon for discussions of literature, politics, and botany.
Frere’s own scholarly work, much of which was completed at the villa, included pioneering translations of Greek comedies and significant contributions to the understanding of classical literature. His library, once housed at the villa, contained rare manuscripts and first editions that reflected his wide-ranging intellectual interests.
The gardens themselves represented a living collection of botanical specimens from across the Mediterranean basin and beyond, making them an important site for the study and preservation of plant diversity in the region.
Preservation Efforts Today
Today, Villa Frere stands at a critical point. While parts of the original estate have been lost to development, significant portions remain, including the main house and several terraces of the historic gardens. Heritage Malta, the national agency for cultural heritage preservation, has recognised the site’s importance and has taken steps to ensure its protection.
The Friends of Villa Frere continue their preservation work, organising volunteer cleanup events, documenting the remaining botanical specimens, and advocating for greater protection of the site. Their efforts have transformed what was once an overgrown, forgotten space into an accessible heritage attraction that offers glimpses into Malta’s horticultural past.
In 2019, Heritage Malta officially took Villa Frere under its wing, recognising it as a site of national importance. This designation provides additional protection and resources for its continued restoration and eventual opening as a public heritage site.
Visiting Villa Frere & How to Get There
Currently, Villa Frere is open to the public on the first Sunday of each month when visitors can walk around the gardens and listen to the guided tour. Occasionally the open day will include a harpist or other artistic talent. You can find more information through the Friends of Villa Frere Facebook group and Instagram page. These open days raise donations which help in the restoration of the heritage buildings and gardens.
Entrance is through St Luke’s Hospital in Pieta. You can arrive by bus and walk in through the hospital grounds, or by taxi or car – in any case you must follow the signs leading you to Villa Frere.
A Garden Worth Saving
Villa Frere represents a unique coming together of historical, botanical, architectural, and cultural heritage. As one of Malta’s few surviving historic gardens of significance, it offers a tangible link to the island’s 19th-century past and serves as a reminder of the rich cultural exchanges that have shaped Malta’s identity.
The ongoing efforts to preserve and restore Villa Frere are not merely about saving an old house and garden; they represent a commitment to protecting the multilayered heritage that makes Malta unique. As visitors once again walk the paths that John Hookham Frere laid out nearly two centuries ago, they participate in the continuing story of a remarkable place that bridges cultures, centuries, and natural beauty.
For those fortunate enough to visit during one of the periodic open days, Villa Frere offers a glimpse into a world where scholarship, diplomacy, and gardening came together to create something truly extraordinary, a hidden gem that continues to enchant and inspire all who discover it.