The ancient Order of Malta, founded in Jerusalem (in 1050 about) by the monastic community belonging to St. John the Baptist, was invested with the religious office by the Pope Pasquale II, and with the military one when, besides the assistance to pilgrims in the “Sacred Land”, it devoted also to their defence. Present in 54 countries and operating in 110, today the Sovereign Order deals with the medical and humanitarian assistance, carrying out cultural activities as well but, above all, diplomatic ones.
After the loss of the Isle of Malta it established in Rome since 1834, with two extraterritorial sites, at 68 Via Condotti and in Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta, where there are the Saint Site Embassy and the Italian State Embassy.
The monumental entrance on the Villa Malta at the Aventino, with a strongly mysterious and unapproachable characteristic, if there is not a previous and rare authorization by the Priorship, it has an extraordinary peculiarity: looking in the keyhole you can see the dome of St. Peter.
|
