Gardjola Gardens

About this place

Gardjola Gardens is a small garden at the northwestern tip of Senglea, one of the Three Cities facing Valletta across the Grand Harbour. Despite its size, it gives you one of the finest views in Malta, looking at Valletta's walls and Fort St Elmo from close to water level. Malta's tourism authority says the gardens were laid out on a grid in 1551 on the orders of Grand Master de la Sengle, who gave the town its name. His original plans included a guard tower on the tip of the bastions, which gives the place its name, since gardjola means watchtower. Sources differ on when the present tower went up, with some placing it in the 17th century. The main sight is the small stone sentry tower hanging over the water, carved with an eye and an ear as symbols of vigilance. Around it run clipped paths, benches and shade trees, along with a stone basin, busts and memorials. From the wall you see ships coming in, Valletta spread out before you and Fort St Angelo close by on the other side. The gardens lie about 900 m from Valletta across the water in a straight line and about 800 m from Birgu, with a much longer route by road. The easiest way is a traditional boat from Valletta, then a walk through Senglea. Morning light is best, when Valletta's front is lit, and keep an eye on children by the high edges.