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Jesus Tree of Malta

The Jesus tree of Malta bears a striking resemblance to Christ on the cross

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Category Natural Wonders, Fascinating Fauna, Curious Places of Worship

The Jesus tree at roadside

According to Maltese legend, a local tree was struck by lightning many years ago, and changed in appearance. Its contorted bark metamorphosed into an image of Jesus hanging from the cross.

Although the Catholic Church officially recognizes miracles, it has declared that these types of apparitions are no longer worthy of "public revelation."

The issue of public vs. private revelation has been a contentious one for the Church, but was recently clarified by the current pope, Joseph Ratzinger. Ratzinger declared that public revelations (essentially big, flashy miracles), ended with the death of the last living Apostle in 100 A.D.

Apparitions, even though officially recognized by the church, are now deemed to be "private revelations," which means one doesn't have to believe in them. Such revelations are binding on whoever has them, but not upon all Catholics.

Of course, for non-believers the tree is neither public nor private revelation, but rather an example of the psychological phenomenon of pareidolia, the perception of meaningful significance in a meaningless, random stimulus. Regardless of religion, these sorts of images of Jesus, Mary, the name of Allah, or a Singaporean monkey god, continue to appear in the oddest of places, and to intrigue the faithful.

The Jesus Tree of Malta is located right off the main road from Zebbug to the walled city of Mdina, the former home of the Knights Hospitalier.

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Hours All hours.
Address MDINA, Malta
Cost Free

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Map/Directions

Go to Google Maps

Take the road from Zebbug to Mdina. After leaving Zebbug, at the base of Mdina, there's a round-about. Proceed up towards Mdina, and the tree is located approximately half way up on right-hand side. You'll notice first all the flowers, plaques and homage that locals place daily at the foot of the tree.

Comments

Anonymous December 29, 2009

I HAVE BEEN TO MALTA AND I DID SEE THE JESUS TREE. IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL UP CLOSE. WE WERE ON A BUS TOURING AND I NOTICED THE TREE AND WE PULLED OVER TO SEE IT. I LOVE MALTA. ITS SUCH A GREAT PLACE TO VISIT AND I HAVE A 95 YEAR OLD AUNT STILL LIVING THERE. HER HUSBAND OF 98 PASSED AWAY LAST OCTOBER. MOVE TO MALTA AND LIVE A VERY LONG AND HEALTHY LIFE....
Anonymous October 10, 2009

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!,
Anonymous July 9, 2009

Have it bronzed!
Anonymous July 8, 2009

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareidolia