The Stone Crosses of La Palma: A Maritime Mystery Value Estimate Present: Unknown
Year Found: 1570
Year Disappeared: N/A
Off the coast of La Palma, Spain, lies a fascinating underwater site featuring forty stone crosses, resting 65 feet below the surface. This intriguing formation has its origins in a dramatic tale from the 1500s, specifically in 1570, when a group of Jesuit missionaries encountered a gang of pirates during their journey to La Palma. At that time, piracy was rampant in the region, posing significant threats to travelers.
In the year 2000, Catholic officials in Spain took a deliberate step to commemorate this historical event by placing these crosses on the seafloor. The crosses serve as a poignant reminder of the missionaries' perilous journey and the dangers they faced at sea.
Malpique's Sunken Crosses: A Tale of Martyrdom Source: Malpique's Sunken Crosses, @atlasobscura/Pinterest
The story of Malpique's sunken crosses is steeped in tragedy and heroism. In 1570, a group of Jesuit missionaries set sail, carrying valuable cargo that caught the attention of a band of French pirates. While the ship and its goods were coveted, the lives of the missionaries were not. In a brutal encounter, the missionaries faced a violent onslaught, ultimately leading to their demise and their designation as martyrs.
To commemorate this somber chapter in history, forty stone crosses were deliberately placed beneath the waters off La Palma in the year 2000. These submerged crosses serve as a poignant reminder of the missionaries' sacrifice and the horrors they endured centuries ago.
