Malta: Architecture and Transport History

Malta brings together several distinct chapters of its architectural and local history: an Orthodox wooden church, the preserved Malta Horse-Post Station complex, and the collection and exhibition themes of the Maltas History Museum. The church draws attention to its architectural form and façade details; the station to an entire group of buildings and its origins in connection with the construction of the route; and the museum to historical photographs, everyday objects and horse-drawn vehicles. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Malta, the town may be especially appealing if you would like to combine your stay with architecture and regional history.

An Orthodox church with distinctive details

The Maltas (Rozentovas) Visusvēto pareizticīgo baznīca is an architectural monument of local importance. This small, timber log building was constructed in 1928 beside the Orthodox cemetery. Its distinctive features include a bulb-shaped cupola and a stylised sun motif on the façades. The building’s compact form, timber construction and cupola design are complemented by a distinctive façade detail. This gives the church its own architectural character within the town’s history. It also contrasts clearly with the Malta Horse-Post Station: rather than a single religious building, the station comprises a complex of several buildings.

The horse-post station as a group of buildings

The Malta Horse-Post Station complex has been preserved to this day. Two similar but differently planned buildings are connected by a 50-metre-long wall; the complex also includes a carriage shed and stables. The long connecting wall and the different building components define the character of the ensemble. The station was among the first houses in the village of Borovaya and was built in connection with construction of the Saint Petersburg–Warsaw route, which was built from 1830 to 1836. The station thus brings together local settlement history and the construction of a larger transport link. It is regarded as a notable monument to architecture, regional history and the development of transport. Advance registration is required to visit the Malta Horse-Post Station; check the registration information before your trip.

Museum exhibits spanning everyday life and transport

The Maltas History Museum presents local historical heritage through collections, exhibitions and educational events. Its exhibits include the permanent exhibition “Malta at the crossroads of roads and events in historical photographs.” There are also two exhibitions from the open collection: “Paintings and ceramics by local residents” and “Household items of residents of Malta Parish,” featuring a room furnished in a style typical of the 1930s to the 1960s. An outdoor display in the carriage shed is devoted to “Horse-drawn vehicles and their accessories.” The subject matter ranges from historical photographs, paintings, ceramics and everyday objects to horse-drawn vehicles and their accessories. The museum is currently closed for renovation work.

The three themes offer different perspectives: the church draws attention to local religious architecture, the horse-post station to its building ensemble and transport history, and the museum to photographs, everyday life and historic vehicles. This distinction can help you choose what to explore in Malta based on your cultural interests, without reducing the places to a single story. If you are particularly interested in the development of transport, the horse-post station is the main attraction; those interested in architectural forms can look to the church as a different example of local architecture. When looking for a holiday apartment in Malta, you can first decide whether architecture and local history should be the focus of your stay.

Discover more destinations: Seksti, Stoļerova, Balda, Ratnieki, Rikopole, Lendži, Čornaja.

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