Set the scene.
John Hookham Frere retired to Malta in 1821. The following year he leased a property on Pietà’s waterfront, developing the house and gardens known by his name.
Here’s the twist.
Hospital expansion, a school and a helipad later reduced the gardens. Only about a third of the original estate survived.
Why it still matters.
Volunteers formed Friends of Villa Frere in 2013 to rescue the remains. Conservation here includes paths, planting and views, as well as the walls of a house.
🧠 One to think about +
What does this story change about the way you see Malta today? Pick one detail you’d tell a friend — then check its source below.