The route into Villa Bologna passes a gate and then a long, shaded path, and by the time you reach the first fountain, the sounds of Attard have faded behind the hedges. The house sits quietly at the end of the garden, as it has for more than 270 years, and the place feels private despite the public entrance.
A wedding gift
The villa was built in 1745 as a gift for the daughter of Fabrizio Grech, an adviser to Grand Master Pinto da Fonseca. It took its name from her husband, a Maltese count. Over time it passed to Lord Strickland, a peer and a leading politician who served as prime minister of Malta. His second wife was an enthusiastic gardener and did much to expand and shape the grounds, blending a turn-of-the-century style with the late Baroque elements already there.
Today it is a family home, the residence of the de Trafford family, who are descendants of Lord Strickland. The sense of a lived-in house is part of the appeal, and it explains why the interior can be seen only on guided visits.
The gardens
The gardens cover more than seven acres and are open to walk through. Shaded paths and benches make them comfortable even in hot weather, and a visit of an hour to an hour and a half is realistic. Fountains, ponds and pavilions give the layout a sequence of small stages, and there are citrus groves, vegetable beds and flower borders between them.
The planting is varied for Malta. Visitors can look for bougainvillea, araucaria, silk oak, Persian lilac, roses, geranium, vinca, jacaranda, rosemary and pepper trees. Gates, arches, statues and decorative vases tie these together. Spring and early summer are particularly rewarding, when the jacaranda and roses are in bloom.
The house and the shelter
Guided tours reveal the interior, which holds paintings, sculpture and furniture from several periods. A short film explains the history of the villa, and an audio guide helps with the garden paths. The tour also includes the wartime air-raid shelter, cut into the rock about twenty metres down, which gives a direct impression of how the owners survived the bombing raids of the Second World War.
The house tours carry a separate fee, so decide in advance whether you want the interior or only the gardens. Booking arrangements can change, so use the villa’s website or telephone number for current details.
Pottery and jam
Within the grounds is a ceramics workshop, created by friends of the owners in the 1950s. Hand-painted pottery is sold there, along with jams made from fruit grown in the gardens. These make small, practical souvenirs, and buying them supports the upkeep of the estate. Look for items that are clearly marked as made on site.
Why it suits a slow visit
Villa Bologna is not a place to tick off quickly. The garden is built as a series of rooms, each with its own feature, and the pleasure lies in moving between them without hurrying. Children can look for the dolphin fountain and the large nymphaeum, while adults compare the planting. Bring a camera for the pavilions and a bottle of water for the walk back, and leave time to sit on a bench under the pepper trees before returning to the car park.
Practical points
The gardens are a summer-friendly visit because of the dense shade, but midday is still hot, so go in the morning or late afternoon. In wet weather, paths can be slippery, so wear shoes with grip. Pushchairs and wheelchairs can use many of the main paths, although some changes in level and steps exist.
The villa also hosts weddings, concerts and charity events. On those days parts of the site may be closed, so confirm the opening arrangements before you arrive. Allow extra time if you add a house tour.
Nearby
San Anton Gardens and the President’s Kitchen Garden are close by, which turns a visit into a morning of gardens in Attard. San Anton Palace stands across from the kitchen garden, though it is the President’s residence and cannot be toured in the usual way. Ta’ Qali National Park is a short drive away for open space, and Mdina is close enough to add as an afternoon.
Start with Villa Bologna while the gardens are cool, then move on to the family-friendly kitchen garden for lunch.
