Nymphaeum remains discovered during restoration works at the Grand Master’s Palace 

As restoration works continue at a steady pace at the Grand Master’s Palace, the remains of a nymphaeum that used to adorn the palace’s orange garden have been discovered. Upon the project’s completion, the public will be able to see these remains, along with a number of sculptures which decorated the nymphaeum.

President of Malta, George Vella was briefed about this discovery when he visited the Grand Master’s Palace to be brought up to speed with the latest works in Heritage Malta’s restoration project at the Palace. He was accompanied by Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici and Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Chris Bonett. They were shown around by Heritage Malta’s top management.

The distinguished guests were also briefed about the latest works in the area, initially known as L’Orangerie. This was a 17th-century orange garden created to provide summer shade and serve as a greenhouse for plants and fruit trees in winter. The park included a nymphaeum with a fountain, lost over time due to structural modifications.

Archaeological investigations in this area have led to the discovery of the remains of the nymphaeum and the related water channels, culverts, and pipe works belonging to the original fountain. The project intends to present the archaeological remains related to this structure, along with a number of sculptures that used to adorn the nymphaeum. The sculptures were removed from the Palace in the 18th century and have been stored in storage.

The Grand Master’s Palace restoration will cost approximately €28 million in total. The initial phase amounting to €10 million, is co-financed by the European Union as part of the European Fund for Regional Development. The initial phase is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Minister Owen Bonnici thanked Heritage Malta’s staff for their hard work towards our built heritage. “Such projects demonstrate the government’s commitment towards cultural heritage. Restoring historic buildings is essential for our children and those who visit us to enjoy our ancestors’ legacy so that we can revitalise our historical heritage”. The restoration of the Grand Master’s Palace is another in a series of projects which Heritage Malta implemented along the years, such as Fort St Angelo and MUŻA, and which further enhanced the value of our cultural heritage.

Parliamentary Secretary Chris Bonett said that the first part of the project is being co-financed by European funds, €8.4 million of which are from the European Regional Development Fund. “Through European funds, we are carrying out another restoration project that will further enhance the beauty of the Grand Master’s Palace and give it back the attention it deserves,” said Dr Bonett, adding that he is looking forward to new European funding programmes so that they will be able to carry out further projects which will attract more tourists.

Heritage Malta’s Chief Executive, Noel Zammit, thanked all workers bringing this project to fruition and lauded the skills of Heritage Malta employees entrusted with much of the work involved in giving back the Palace the dignity and prestige it deserves. He said that this is another project through which Heritage Malta is accomplishing its mission to place the client at the core of all its operations.