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maltatoday | SUNDAY • 10 OCTOBER 2021
COMMERCIAL
THE Planning Authority also
scheduled a mid-17th Century
property in Naxxar as a Grade
2 Protected building. Consid-
ered to be one of Naxxar's oldest
properties, Villa Castro's simple
design is reminiscent of French
Baroque architecture. The old-
est parts of the building survive
from a hunting lodge which was
eventually extended into a villa
with extensive gardens at the
back.
The organisation and archi-
tecture of its courtyard uses
classical proportions in an im-
posing statement despite being
void of any decoration. The
scheduling also incorporates
a recent contemporary design
extension, under the author-
ship of AP Valletta, which was
carried out in the courtyard
area. This is lifted above the
ground on slender columns in
order not to obstruct the cor-
nices, pilasters and the pedi-
ment of the gate which once
led to the garden beyond. The
extension received interna-
tional awards for the way it
complimented and coexists
with the existing old residential
building.
One of Naxxar's oldest residences
given special protection
