page_title: Ġonna tal-Kmand
section_title: Lija
hierarchical_section_title: Ġonna tal-Kmand / Surviving gardens / Lija
caption_attribution_description: English: Villa Fort and places in Lija
context_page_description: The Ġonna tal-Kmand, formerly known as Ġonna tal-Kutnent and sometimes known as Ball Gardens, are a group of gardens in various localities in Malta, which were built in the early years of the 19th century when the island was a British protectorate. The gardens were commissioned by Civil Commissioner Alexander Ball between 1802 and 1805, and were given to the Luogotenenti in charge of the towns or villages.
  A total of 21 gardens were established. About half of these were destroyed in the 20th century, while the others have survived in various states of maintenance. Well-preserved gardens include those at Gudja, Għargħur, Qrendi and Żejtun.
context_section_description: The garden at Lija is located at Triq Annibale Preca (Annibale Preca Street), in an area known as Tal-Mirakli close to the boundary with Attard. This garden has been partially built up as the Plant Biotechnology Centre and its laboratories. It has reservoirs which feed into the nearby San Anton Palace.
  It is open to the public during occasions or by appointment as Ġnien il-Pjanti Maltin (Maltese Plants Garden).
caption: The entrance flanked by two windows. The site is now occupied by the Plant Biotechnology Centre.
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