Mosta Rotunda — Attraction in Mosta

Ine of the best church on the Island

The Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady (Maltese: Bażilika ta' Santa Marija), commonly known as the Rotunda of Mosta (Maltese: Ir-Rotunda tal-Mosta) or the Mosta Dome, is a Roman Catholic parish church and Minor Basilica in Mosta, Malta, dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. It was built between 1833 and the 1860s to neoclassical designs of Giorgio Grognet de Vassé, on the site of an earlier Renaissance church which had been built in around 1614 to designs of Tommaso Dingli. The design of the present church is based on the Pantheon in Rome, and at one point had the third largest unsupported dome in the world. The church narrowly avoided destruction during World War II, since on 9 April 1942 a German aerial bomb pierced the dome and fell into the church during Mass but failed to explode. This event was interpreted by the some Maltese as a miracle, but similar bombs did not explode as well. Although Pietro Dusina recorded Mosta as a parish in his 1575 pastoral visit, the town actually became a parish in 1608. Plans to construct a new church began soon afterwards, and the church was built in around 1614 to designs attributed to the Renaissance architect Tommaso Dingli. This church was commonly called Ta' Ziri.

By the 1830s, this church had become too small to cater for the town's population. Giorgio Grognet de Vassé proposed rebuilding the church on a neoclassical design based on the Pantheon in Rome. Despite opposition from Bishop Francesco Saverio Caruana, the design was approved and construction of the church began on 30 May 1833.

Replica of the bomb which pierced the dome on 9 April 1942

The new church was built around the old church, which remained in use throughout the course of construction. The residents of Mosta helped in building the church, taking part in construction work on Sundays and public holidays.Since Grognet had never received any formal architectural training, he received consultation services from an architect of the Sammut family.

The rotunda took 28 years to build, being completed in the early 1860s. The old church was demolished in 1860, and the new church did not need to be consecrated since the site had remained a place of worship throughout the course of construction. The church was officially dedicated on 15 October 1871.

During World War II, the town of Mosta was prone to aerial bombardment due to its proximity to the airfield of RAF Ta Kali. At about 16:40 on 9 April 1942, the Luftwaffe dropped three bombs on the church, and two of them deflected without exploding. However, one 500 kg high explosive bomb pierced the dome and entered the church, where a congregation of more than 300 people were awaiting early evening mass. The bomb did not explode, and a Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal unit defused it and dumped it into the sea off the west coast of Malta. This event was interpreted as a miracle by the inhabitants, and a similar bomb is now displayed in the sacristy at the back of the church, under the words Il-Miraklu tal-Bomba, 9 ta' April 1942 (meaning "The Bomb Miracle, 9 April 1942").

In 2015, the parish requested to the Vatican to be reclassified to the status of a basilica. The church was elevated to the dignity of a Minor basilica on 29 July 2018. The Rotunda of Mosta is built in the neoclassical style, and its structure is based on the Pantheon in Rome. Its façade has a portico with six Ionic columns, which is flanked by two bell towers. Being a rotunda, the church has a circular plan with walls about 9.1 m (30 ft) thick supporting a dome with an internal diameter of 37.2 m (122 ft). At one time, the dome was the third largest in the world. The church's interior contains eight niches, including a bay containing the main entrance and a deep apse with the main altar.

Before the church was constructed, there was some opposition to Grognet's design, since some regarded a Roman temple as an unsuitable model for a Catholic...

The Mosta Cathedral is one of Malta’s most impressive and iconic tourist attractions. Located in the heart of the island, in the town of Mosta, this imposing religious building attracts thousands of visitors every year, not only for its architectural beauty, but also for its fascinating history.

✨ Remarkable Architecture

The cathedral is famous for its massive dome — one of the largest in Europe and even the world, with a diameter of over 37 meters. Inspired by the famous Pantheon in Rome, the building has a grandiose yet elegant appearance, both on the outside and inside. The neoclassical facade and imposing columns provide a solemn and monumental atmosphere.

🙏 Spiritual atmosphere

Once you enter, you are immediately enveloped by a special tranquility. The interior is bright, with delicate frescoes and refined decorations, and the dome is absolutely impressive from the inside. The church is active, so you have the opportunity to attend services if you wish.

💣 The Miraculous Story of the Bomb

One of the most famous episodes related to the Mosta Cathedral is the one from World War II, when a bomb penetrated the dome during a service, but did not explode. This “miracle” is recounted in detail inside, where you can see a replica of the bomb on display in a small side chapel. It’s a story that is both chilling and inspiring.

📍 Accessibility and surroundings

The Cathedral is easily accessible from any corner of Malta — either by public transport or by car. There are also a few cafes and local shops nearby, and the city center of Mosta is...

Beautiful place to visit even for somebody who is not into religion. An excellent piece of art inside and outside alike. There is a bomb shelter underneath the Basilica that can be visited as well. Pay €5 and you can see both the inside of the Basilica up to the balcony and the bomb shelter as well.

A mind blowing fact about this place is that this building has survived the attack of 3 Nazi aerial bombs during World War II.

The town of Mosta was prone to aerial bombardment due to its proximity to the airfield of RAF Ta Kali. At about 16:40 on 9 April 1942, the Luftwaffe dropped three bombs on the church, and two of them deflected without exploding. However, one 500 kg high explosive bomb pierced the dome and entered the church, where a congregation of more than 300 people were awaiting early evening mass. The bomb did not explode, and a Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal unit defused it and dumped it into the sea off the west coast of Malta. This event was interpreted as a miracle by the inhabitants, and a similar bomb is now displayed in the sacristy at the back of the church.

You can still see where the bomb pierced the dome as it hasn't been fully renovated after it was repaired.

When you stand next to the replica of the aerial bomb that came through the roof you'll get a bit of a chill..... and you'll understand why the locals called this event...