Plants behind the bastions
Floriana is the quiet suburb that sits between Valletta’s city gate and the rest of the island, and most visitors pass through it without stopping. The Argotti Botanic Gardens is one of the reasons to get off the bus. Behind its walls lies a collection of Mediterranean plants, succulents and cacti, laid out in a garden that has been developing since the 1700s.
For anyone interested in plants, especially unusual and rare ones, this is a place worth seeking out. The gardens form an integral part of the University of Malta, and they are third in the list of the oldest botanic gardens of the Commonwealth.
Two gardens that became one
The story begins with two private gardens belonging to different people. One belonged to the Knight Don Emmanuel Pinto de Fonseca, the other to Bailiff Ignatius de Argote y Gusman. When Pinto became Grand Master in 1741, Argote bought Pinto’s garden and over time merged it with his own.
Despite its origins in the 1600s, the garden was officially recognised as a botanical garden only in 1890. In between, it grew through gifts and transfers. A lot of plant varieties, mostly medicinal, came from St Elmo, under the guidance of Carolus Giacinto, the Professor of Botany. After his death, the Professor of Natural History Stefano Zerafa took on the work.
Contributions and collections
Later donors added to the garden. Count Alfred Caruana Gatto and Professor John Borg, together with his wife, brought collections of succulents, cactuses and Mediterranean flora. These contributions give the garden its present character, with a strong emphasis on plants that cope with heat, drought and thin soil.
A national herbarium is exhibited for visitors, which makes the garden useful for those who want to know more about the plants of the islands. Plant lovers come every day to see the collection.
Buildings in the garden
The garden is also a place of architectural interest. Because it began to develop in the 18th century, it has valuable stylistic features of that period, including a nymphaeum and the summer villa built by Argote. A nymphaeum is a monument dedicated to water, often with niches and a fountain, and it is a reminder that gardens of this period were places for show as much as for study.
In the early 2000s, the University of Malta started projects to restore the architectural objects and to enrich the plant collection. The work has helped keep the garden in good condition and continues the idea that a botanic garden is both a living collection and a piece of heritage.
Opening to the public
The Argotti Gardens were not always available for visiting. Only in 1974 did the public section open its doors to guests. Today the gardens are open to locals and tourists, individually or in groups. Staff can organise specific group tours on request, which suits school classes, plant societies and study groups.
As a university site, access can depend on university arrangements, so look for current visiting information before you go. There is no need to rush; the garden suits a slow walk with a notebook or a camera.
Walking it well
Go slowly and look at the labels. Succulents and cacti are the most visual plants for casual visitors, with shapes and textures that stand out. Mediterranean plants are subtler, and their scents, such as rosemary, thyme and sage, reward a close look.
Spring is the best season for flowers, and autumn brings softer light. Summer is hot, so aim for the morning. Bring water and a hat, and wear comfortable shoes for gravel paths.
Photographers will find good subjects in the architecture and the detail of leaves and spines. Please keep to paths and avoid touching or picking plants, as many are rare.
Combining it with Floriana and Valletta
Floriana is a short walk from Valletta. St Philip’s Garden, a small public garden nearby, and the Wignacourt Aqueduct and its towers can be added to a walking route, as can St Publius Church in the main square. The gardens make a calm interval between a morning in Valletta’s museums and an afternoon at the harbour.
Plan one to two hours, longer if you are interested in botany. Finish with a coffee in Floriana’s main square, or walk through the city gate and continue into Valletta.
