Wayside Chapels: The Immaculate Conception at Wied Gerzuma

The chapel of the Immaculate Conception is in the middle of nowhere – or as in-the-middle-of-nowhere are you can be on this little island. I love it because of its isolated location and its simple interior. It was built in 1736 by Grand Master de Vilhena on land acquired in 1621 by Grand Master de Paule. The chapel is located on high ground in a rural setting and, on a clear day, the view is magnificent. Unfortunately, it was very hazy the day we visited so I could not really get a good photo of the scenery. This spot reminds me of childhood picnics and teenage hikes. It is certainly a place where you can get away from it all and enjoy nature at its pristine best.

Location: Chapel of the  Immaculate Conception, Wied Gerzuma, l/o Rabat

 

Due to an upcoming vacation, I will not be posting on this blog for a while. I would, however, appreciate your feedback to the following question: what would you like to see more of on this page?

I hope you all enjoy the rest of your summer. 

The Kitchen Garden

The Kitchen Garden is situated opposite the back entrance of San Anton Palace. It has been supplying vegetables to the Palace since the 17th century, when the palace was built as a summer residence by  Grand Master de Paule.

The garden was extensively rehabilitated and was opened to the public last year. It is built on three levels: the children’s play area, cafeteria and animal pens are on the lowest level; a rose and herb garden is on the next  level and the last is the Swan Terrace. This terrace is built over a larger reservoir built in 1766 to provide water for the garden.

 

The Kitchen Garden still serves its original purpose of supplying the Palace with fruit and vegetables.

The Kitchen Garden

San Anton Street

Attard

Photographed July 2011

Opening hours:    Winter: Monday to Friday — 9:30 am to 2:00 pm
Summer: Monday to Friday —10:00am to 10:00pm
Saturday, Sunday, Public Holidays — 9:00 am to 1:30 pm

The Story of a Palace

San Anton Palace began its existence as a country villa built by Fra Antoine de Paule, a Knight of the Order of St John. Following his election as Grand Master, the villa was enlarged to accommodate his numerous guests and entourage, which even included a baker who specifically baked black bread for the hunting dogs. The current structure was constructed between 1632 and 1635, when the Grand Master decided to enlarge the villa into palace in favour of building a trireme galley, and was used as his summer residence. The Grand Master named the palace San Anton after his patron saint, Anthony of Padua. Successive Grand Masters continued to use the palace as their summer residence.

During the uprising of the Maltese against the French in 1799, San Anton Palace became the seat of the National Assembly until the capitulation of Valletta by the French in September 1800. Subsequently Captain (later Sir) Alexander Ball resided at the Palace, first as Chief of the Maltese Congress and then as Chief Commissioner. During this period a loggia around the drawing room and a balustrade-walk around the outer courtyards were built.

This door is the entrance to the President's residence.
Yes, that's how close we can get to our head of state!

During the British period the Palace was used as the residence of the Governor and the Governor-General of Malta. Following the end of British rule, the Palace became the official residence of the President of Malta.

San Anton is surrounded by gardens containing a variety of trees and flowers from around the world and also a number of sculptures and ornamental ponds. The gardens have been open to the public since 1882.