The gardens and other parts of the Grade 1-scheduled Villa Francia will be restored through €1 million in EU funds, the Prime Minister’s wife has said.

The government-owned property in Lija requires “several interventions” to bring it back to life, Michelle Muscat told a press conference.

In past years the property had been neglected but once the restoration was complete, it would be periodically opened to the public, she said.

Five years ago the property went through extensive restoration in a three-year project under the Nationalist administration.

Great care had been taken, for example, to give all walls a limestone wash, which was used when the villa was originally built, to prevent further deterioration.

Laying the water and electricity supply was difficult as the walls and floors could not be touched. These were passed beneath the floor paving or re-laid in old trenches. In one particular corridor, all the tiles were removed, the cables installed and tiles carefully relaid.

EU Funds Parliamentary Secretary Ian Borg said the funds had to be used by the end of next year.

The project will focus on re-arranging the villa’s vast gardens and restoring the niches, stables and gazebo. There is also a coach room, a water mill and about 10 fountains in the gardens.

The property dates back to the mid-1900s and was Sir Ugo Mifsud’s residence when he was prime minister between 1924 and 1927.