Malhadas, the Portuguese municipality that belongs to the regional council of Miranda de Duero in the district of Braganza, has been historically and continues to be one of the most important settlements in the region.
The first reference to the village is dated in the 12th Century where it appears in certain documents as a dependent entity of the town council of Braganza. A fort known as Marmolina, which is located close by, is evidence that there have been settlements in this area since ancient times.
The province is divided up on a parochial basis where there are very small rural churches scattered throughout the area. These churches have shown little change throughout time. This is the case of the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Expectación of Malhadas. The church is dated during a time of transition between the Romanesque and Gothic periods; however everything indicates that it was built in the 13th century.
Also of great historical importance is the monumental cross sculpted out of granite. This is located on an important road that connects the west of Braganza with Miranda de Duero and with the plateau of Leon. In spite of losing the original sculptures, it exhibits a complex sculptured narrative discourse. This is one of the few works of this type conserved in the province.
