Il-Kunvent/Id-Dar tal-Barunissa (Id-Dar tas-Soru), l/o San Leonardu, Ħaż-Żabbar
Il-Kunvent/Id-Dar tal-Barunissa (Id-Dar tas-Soru), l/o San Leonardu, Ħaż-Żabbar.
Id-Dar tal-Barunissa which is located in the limits of San Leonardu in Żabbar, was originally intended to be used as a convent but was never utilised as such. The origins of the complex go back to the construction of a chapel in 1656 dedicated to St Leonard, from which the name of the locality stems.
Various additions were constructed, the latest being the ashlar stone wall and gates surrounding the garden, dated 1905. The garden was divided by means of elevated pathways and was irrigated through stone channels and troughs. The main focus of the garden is the intricately detailed nymphaeum at the end of the garden. The stone gates in the boundary wall may also have served as belvederes during the heydays of the complex.
Since the 1970s this house became known as Id-Dar tas-Soru owing to its use as a location for a local TV series bearing that title. The gardens have been recently taken over by a neighbouring farmer and covered with soil to be used as fields.
Mepa scheduled Il-Kunvent as a Grade 2 national monument as per Government Notice number 492/06 in the Government Gazette dated 6 June.
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B Agius
Jun 3rd 2009, 08:49
Oh! I obviously missed the point judging by the three blogs hereunder. So as long as we have photos all's well with "The Times" service. We can all now see degradation of our traditions and buildings in colour and be happy.. I also would love to see photos when we have something to show and be proud of.
C.Formosa
Jun 2nd 2009, 16:22
Pictures finally.
Well done!
Anthony Slater
Jun 2nd 2009, 12:36
Glad to see photos are finally being used. I hope they continue
Alfred Grech
Jun 2nd 2009, 12:05
This series will now be much more interesting to follow and hope you'll keep posting a photo of any building/site/monument you'll be presenting to the readers' attention.
B Agius
Jun 2nd 2009, 10:47
This place has been left derelict for a number of years. It is an imposing facade of a building that should be looked after properly as part of our heritage. So what? MEPA has listed this place as grade 2 National monument. What does that mean? It has been left to be destroyed by the elemnts and vandals alike for many years and no one seems to have done anything to issue a restoration order. These stories are headed "Protecting the most significant ..............etc" Why are we waiting for it to completely fall to bits before anything is done? Why is "The Times" running these features without saying exactly what is planned for their restoration and when? Someone should ask the PM now - as he is responsible for MEPA. Unfortunately it's another picture of the derelict and shabbiness of almost everything the Government is responsible for around these islands.