Valletta Green Festival will be ‘bigger and better’

A roof garden will open at the Main Guard in Valletta next month.

It’s part of the Valletta Green Festival which will run from May 3 to May 6.

St George’s Square will be transformed into a huge, colourful, floral carpet for this year’s edition of the festival, organised by Valletta 2018.

The square will be covered in 150,000 potted plants, creating a unique and colourful display.

Valletta 2018 said that this year’s design will invite visitors to walk through the floral carpet, providing a unique experience.

A programme of family-friendly activities will be running throughout the whole weekend, offering visitors rare glimpses into some of the capital’s little-known historical treasures.

Among the gardens open to the public are the 400-year-old gardens of the Archbishop’s Palace, the garden of St Catherine’s monastery, St Augustine’s church and garden, and St Dominic’s Basilica garden.

The roof garden at the Main Guard will remain open till May 13.

Valletta Green Festival programme of events:

Green Roof

Date: Thursday 3 May – Sunday 6 May

Time: 9am onwards

Location: Roof of the Main Guard, Valletta

Description: In Malta, buildings cover one third of the island, leaving greenery in the dirt track. Green roofs are one way to bring plants back to urban areas with loads of benefits. A green roof will be exhibited on the roof of the Office of the Attorney General to raise awareness and educate the public about the importance of greenery, and how they can implement green initiatives within their homes.

St George’s Square

Date: Thursday 3 May – Sunday 6 May

Time: 9.30am onwards

Location: St George’s Square, Valletta

Description: Exhibition tents by various NGOs including China Cultural Centre in Malta, ELC, Garby & Tidy and WasteServ. Flower carpet made of flower pots covering an area of more than 1000sqm.

The Basilica of St Dominic & Garden

Date: Friday 4 May – Sunday 6 May

Time: 9.30am – 12.30 pm and 4pm – 7pm

Location: St Dominic Street, Valletta

Description: The gardens and refectory of the Basilica of St Dominic will be open to the public

St Augustine’s Church & Garden

Date: Friday 4 May – Sunday 6 May

Time: 9.30am – 12.30 pm and 4pm – 7pm

Location: Old Bakery Street, Valletta (Entrance from Old Bakery Street or Zekka Street)

Description: St Augustine’s church, gardens, and the recently discovered foundations of the church will be open to the public

St Catherine’s Monastery & Garden

Date: Friday 4 May – Sunday 6 May

Time: 9.30am – 12.30 pm and 4pm – 7pm

Location: Republic Street, Valletta

Description: The gardens of St Catherine’s Monastery will be open to the public

Archbishop’s Palace & Garden

Date: Friday 4 May – Sunday 6 May

Time: 9.30am – 12.30 pm and 4pm – 7pm

Location: Archbishop Street, Valletta

Description: The Archbishop’s Palace Gardens, Piano Nobile and ground floor will be open to the public