Malta

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Bragança > Macedo de Cavaleiros > Olmos

Location

The village of Malta is located in the municipality of Macedo de Cavaleiros, integrated into the sub-region of Terras de Trás-os-Montes. It is a settlement nestled in the natural landscape of the Trás-os-Montes interior, providing a tranquil environment and authentic characteristics of the region.

The site offers wide views over the rural surroundings, inviting contemplation of the landscape that extends around the village, in a setting that reflects the serene beauty of Trás-os-Montes.

Historical Roots and the Name

The history of Malta is intimately linked to the Order of Malta. Formerly known as São Cristóvão, the village adopted its current name due to the significant presence and ownership of assets by this Order in the locality. This legacy dates back to the time of D. Sancho I, suggesting a foundation that may date from the 12th century.

This historical heritage gives the village a particular dimension, where traces of the past intertwine with present life, marking the community's identity and its connection to one of the oldest military and religious orders.

The Parish Church of Santo Cristo

The heart of Malta's heritage is its Parish Church of Santo Cristo, a building of remarkable historical and architectural interest. The church was built upon the foundations of an older Romanesque construction, dating from the 11th or 12th centuries, whose vestiges are still perceptible.

Among the most unique elements are architectural details such as a door adorned with four-rayed stars and a gargoyle. Near the portico, it is possible to observe a tombstone believed to be of Roman origin, dedicated to the god Aerno, demonstrating a much earlier human occupation in this place and the superposition of different historical periods.

The Enigmatic Sarcophagus

At the entrance to the Church of Santo Cristo, a granite sarcophagus stands out, shrouded in ancient stories and popular beliefs. This tomb features enigmatic inscriptions on its lid, namely a cross, interpreted by some as the cross of Malta, and a serpent.

Various popular narratives and historical records associate this sarcophagus with several figures: from a burial linked to the Templars, who would have passed through Malta, to the legend of a repentant young man who chose to die there in the company of a snake. Some also suggest that this stone coffin served as the final resting place for the Order's commendators who died there. Despite the richness of these stories, academic studies point to the sarcophagus as being from the Late Middle Ages, perhaps from the 12th to 14th centuries, and associated with some nobleman of the time, maintaining, however, its symbolic value and the fascination it exerts on those who observe it.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt