Scheduling the past

Mepa schedules Palazzo Francia, Lija

This palace was constructed prior to 1757, which was probably inspired by Villa Palagonia, Bagheria in Sicily and was built at such a cost that the owners went bankrupt. The palace is also known as Villa Preziosi and was transferred from private ownership to government ownership in 1992. The current use of this palace is to host dignitaries.

The palace is surrounded by extensive grounds, some of which are still cultivated for agricultural purposes and are leased to third parties. A belvedere was built at the furthest end of this garden and to the north-west of the palace. Formal gardens are laid out at the front and also on the rear of the palace itself. The rear garden also contains a fountain and a nymphaeum at the far end, adjacent to which is a beast-driven water lifting machinery built in timber (sienja tal-miexi), which is still in a reasonable condition and practically complete. The complex also contains a number of water reservoirs.