The church is situated at the heart of the village of Mosta, dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. Due to its massive dome, the church is better known as the Rotunda.
The design was of a French resident called Giorgio Grognet De Vasse and it was built between 1833 and 1860. The design is neoclassical and based on the Pantheon in Rome. Mosta church has a circular plan with a portico on the facade , flanked by two bell towers. It dominates the entire skyline of the village. The interior diameter of the dome is 38m (122ft) and is considered as being one of the largest unsupported domes in the world.
Mosta Dome
Initially, the original plan of the Mosta church received some opposition due to the fact that it followed the Pantheon Roman Temple design, which for some, was unsuitable to the Catholic world. Fortunately, the design was praised by many others and the church was built.
Mosta View
The new Mosta church was built around the old 17th century one built during the time of Knights of St John, which remained in use until it was eventually completed. The inhabitants of Mosta volunteered throughout the construction period to see their new temple being erected.
Due to its proximity to Ta Qali, the former military airfield built by the British and heavily used and bombed during the Second World War, three bombs fell on the church. Two were deflected and hit the cornices of the facade and one pierced the dome , hit a painting of Christ , fell on the ground and it didn’t explode. A congregation of 300 people from Mosta were waiting for mass and no one was hurt. With the intersection of the Assumption of Mary, It’s considered as a miracle by the locals which saved their lives.
Mosta Bomb Replica
The church is open for the public, ten minutes drive from Mdina and 20 minutes drive from Valletta. For further information please click on https://mostachurch.com/?lang=en
Please contact us if you like to book a private tour
