Mosta Rotunda
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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 church building.
YOUSUF ALI
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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 Il-Miraklu tal-Bomba
Paweł Centlewski
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The Sanctuary Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady, better known as the Rotunda of Mosta, can be seen from afar, not surprising when you realise that this is a dome that can compete with the domes of, for example, St. Peter's Basilica and the Pantheon in Rome. Due to the enormous growth of the population of Mosta in the 18th century, there was a need for a new, larger church. Although there was some resistance to the "pagan" design of architect Gorgio Grognet de Vassé, his classicist domed church was approved and construction began in 1833. The church was built around and over the old church because it had to be used. Despite the help of the men of the village on Sundays, it took until the early 1860s before the church was finished. This was partly because the construction was financed by private donations. On 15 October 1871, the church, which is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, was officially consecrated. On April 9, 1942, the congregation miraculously escaped death during a mass when a German bomb hit the church but did not explode. A replica of this bomb is still on display in the church. A wonderfully beautiful and impressive church!
Koen
00
The Mosta Dome is one of the best known churches in Malta, located in the central village of Mosta. The design of the present church is based on the Pantheon in Rome, has the third largest unsupported dome in the world. To visit the church it will cost 5€ including the bomb shelter. The church though is most famous for being bombed in World War II. On 9th April 1942, a group of around 300 worshippers was gathered in the church for the evening Mass at around 16:40 when a 500kg (1,102lbs) German aerial bomb pierced through the ceiling and smashed a hole into the floor below. Luckily, no one was hurt or killed as the bomb did not detonate. The highly religious Maltese people of the time declared this to be a miracle and a sign of divine intervention from God who was protecting the nation during the Second World War. In total, three bombs were dropped on the church – two deflected without exploding, and one went through the ceiling. Members of the Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal unit defused this last one and dumped it into the sea off the West coast. However, a close replica is displayed in the sacristy.
1girl 1passport
00
On April 9, 1942, during World War II, a German aerial bomb (weighing around 500 kg) pierced the dome during a service attended by more than 300 people. Miraculously, the bomb did not explode, and no one was injured. This event is often referred to as the “Miracle of Mosta.” A replica of the bomb is now displayed in a sacristy near the church as a tribute to that moment and a symbol of hope and survival. It’s a powerful story of faith, luck, and resilience. Would you like a photo of the replica bomb or the dome’s interior? If you’re visiting Malta, make sure to include the Rotunda of Mosta on your itinerary. This magnificent neoclassical church boasts one of the largest unsupported domes in Europe, inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. Beyond its architectural beauty, it’s known for surviving a direct hit by a German bomb during World War II — a miraculous event that left hundreds of worshippers unharmed. A replica of the bomb is on display, offering a powerful glimpse into Malta’s wartime history. Whether you’re drawn by history, architecture, or faith, the Rotunda is an unforgettable stop.
Constantinos Schizas
00
Mosta boasts the third largest unsupported dome in the world. The church, also commonly known as the Rotunda of Mosta or the Mosta Dome, is dedicated to the Assumption. The Feast of the Assumption is held on 15 August and it is a public holiday in Malta.The climb up to the top from just inside the entrance is amazing offering a great view down from the top of the dome you can scan a QR code on your phone at the start that will let you hear all about the church at the relevant points and you can pick what ever language you want. when you have done the church you have the optionto visit the WW2 Bunker This shelter was started in 1940 and was dug out by about 15 people .On 9th April 1942, this shelter came close to disaster, when several German bombs were directed at the Church and almost succeeded in this partial destruction. At 4.40p.m. on that day, one bomb actually penetrated the great dome of the Church. It failed to explode and landed on the right side of the Church, near 300 people were at worship in the Church, it was a miracle that no one was hurt.
Mark Johnson
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Basic Info
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Rotunda Square, Mosta MST 2014, Malta
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+356 2741 8368
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Website
mostachurch.com
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Description
The Sanctuary Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady, commonly known as the Rotunda of Mosta or the Mosta Dome, is a Roman Catholic parish church and basilica in Mosta, Malta, dedicated to the Assumption of Mary.
attractions: Mosta World War II Shelter, Mosta Valley, Mosta Bridge, restaurants: Ta' Marija - Your Gastro Maltese Kitchen since 1964, XUFI (Olympic) Cafe' and Bistro, The Flora, Bukkun

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