Explore Malta and Gozo your way

Get your Explore Flex card from our shops in the Welcomers’ Hall at the Airport and in the Valletta Bus Terminus.

You can also get your Explore Flex card from any one of our card machines located at the Airport, Buġibba Bus Terminus, Pembroke Park & Ride, Sliema Ferries, Ross Bus Stop in St Julian’s, Valletta Bus Terminus, and Mġarr Ferry Terminal and Bus Terminus in Gozo. www.publictransport.com.mt

WORDS IL-BIZZILLA

A Heritage Maltese Brand Is Revived For A New Global Audience

VILLA BOLOGNA POTTERY HAS BEEN SYNONYMOUS WITH MALTA FOR NEARLY 100 YEARS. NOW UNDER THE OWNERSHIP OF SOPHIE AND ROWLEY EDWARDS, A YOUNG COUPLE WITH A LONG HISTORY IN MALTA, THE COMPANY IS OPENING UP TO A NEW GLOBAL AUDIENCE. THE NEW VILLA BOLOGNA POTTERY RESTAURANT HAS RECENTLY OPENED IN THE VILLAGE OF ATTARD.

SOPHIE & ROWLEY, YOU TOOK OVER THE POTTERY IN 2020 - WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THEN?

Villa Bologna Pottery was established in 1924. Its owner Jasper de Trafford who is a friend of ours, asked us if we might like to take it over and we jumped at the chance. We took it over just as lockdown happened, and this gave us the chance to curate and edit the archives of table and giftware. We have chosen to focus on our most iconic pieces which are very Maltese in their style and design: pineapples and shell vases, artichokes bowls, boat and dolphins lamps to fish jugs. We have a very distinct aesthetic and we have recently introduced the brand to the UK with the launch of a London shop in Holland Park and a new website that ships all over the world.

WHY DO YOU THINK VILLA BOLOGNA POTTERY IS SO LOVED BY THE MALTESE?

Our work is instantly recognisable as Villa Bologna Pottery. We think it’s nice for the country to have a design brand that it so distinctly Maltese in its style and like nothing else out there - its Mediterranean yes, but it is also very much rooted in the unique island that we call home. The fact that everything we make is unique, as its all handmade and hand painted by local artists, gives Villa Bologna Pottery is own look and style.

THE NEW RESTAURANT IS OPEN IN THE GROUNDS OF THE VILLA BOLOGNA, TELL US WHY THIS IS SO SPECIAL?

The pottery, the shop and now the restaurant (that we opened in June) are all located in the grounds of the Villa Bologna, a stunning 18th century villa. You will find us in the quiet and picturesque village of Attard, which is about 20 minutes away from Valletta and this gives the shop and workshop a very calm and serene atmosphere. The restaurant garden is in a shaded courtyard surrounded by scented citrus trees and a vine strewn pergola. We serve coffee and pastries in the morning and then lunch and dinner.

THE POTTERY, THE SHOPS (IN MALTA AND IN LONDON) AND THE RESTAURANT ARE A FAMILY AFFAIR. CAN YOU TELL US MORE?

Both of us work together across the pottery and the two shops and website. Essentially we are thinking, sleeping and living with the brand every day. Now with the restaurant we are also eating, drinking with it! Both of us are unabashed foodies and we love Italian food so the restaurant will offer the Italian dishes. Everything has been chosen by us including the pieces of Villa Bologna Pottery on which we serve everything on. We use herbs and vegetables that we have grown in the garden at the villa, which we harvest with our children, who also get to play in the gardens and in the pottery. We really want the restaurant, at least in the day time, to appeal to families, as we want this to be a restaurant for all generations to enjoy together. As for the shop in London, Sophie's mother is helping us with that there too - so it really is a family business.

CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THE PLANS FOR VILLA BOLOGNA AROUND THE

WORLD?

The shop in London and the website which offers worldwide shipping have been a huge investment for us, and we have been so bowled over by the response to our products from all over the world - people really love what we do! To be able to talk about Malta as a great design and cultural hotspot in Europe is such a positive step especially as more varied travellers are now coming to our island. We feel so lucky to be able to share one of Malta's best kept secrets with the rest of the world.

WORDS CHRISTINE CASSAR