Ġonna tal-Kmand
| Ġonna tal-Kmand | |
|---|---|
| Ball Gardens Lieutenants' Gardens | |
Sir Alexander Ball's Garden in Safi, one of the few well-preserved surviving gardens | |
| Type | Gardens |
| Location | Malta |
| Opened | Early 19th-century |
| Founder | Alexander Ball |
| Status | Some are intact, some were modified, others destroyed |
The Ġonna tal-Kmand (transl. Commanders' Gardens), formerly known as Ġonna tal-Kutnent (transl. Lieutenants' Gardens) and sometimes known as Ball Gardens, are a group of gardens in various localities in Malta, which were built in the early years of the 19th century when the island was a British protectorate. The gardens were commissioned by Civil Commissioner Alexander Ball between 1802 and 1805, and were given to the Luogotenenti in charge of the towns or villages.
A total of 21 gardens were established. About half of these were destroyed in the 20th century, while the others have survived in various states of maintenance. Well-preserved gardens include those at Gudja, Għargħur, Qrendi and Żejtun.