Basilica of the Assumption of Mary, Mosta (Mosta Rotunda)

Basilica of the Assumption of Mary, Mosta (Mosta Rotunda)

Mosta became a parish in 1608, two decades after the pastoral visit of Inquisitor Pietro Dusina in 1575. The original parish church, built in 1614 was in early Renaissance style. It was later felt that a larger church needed to be built to cater for the growing parish population of Mosta and – for about 30 years from the 1830s – the present church was built, reimiscent of the Roman Pantheon, earning its colloquial name, Mosta Rotunda.

The church of the Assumption of Our Lady was elevated to Sanctuary Basilica by Pope Francis in 2015.

An interesting story, hailed a miracle, is that the church fell victim to an aerial bombardment on April 1942, when a 50kg high explosive bomb pierced the dome while the church had a congregation of about 300 people waiting for mass to commence. The bomb did not explode and the Royal Engineers came on site to defuse it. A replica of the bomb is displayed in the church.

The Assumption of Mary is arguably the most popular Marian devotion on the island, with at least 7 villages celebrating the feast on the 15th August or the Sundays immediately before or after the 15th August.

From the Mosta Rotunda the walk continues to Wied il-Ghasel via one of 2 ways, either proceeding towards Razzett il-Markiz Tabone onto the main road with a descent into the valley, or towards the Bocci Club behind the Basilica where, some 100 metres on, provides an entrance into the valley.