Mosta Rotunda, Mosta — the great dome and the wartime miracle

What is the Mosta Rotunda?

The Mosta Rotunda is the great round, domed parish church at the centre of Mosta, one of the most recognisable buildings in Malta. Inspired by the Pantheon in Rome, it combines a vast interior space with a dome that ranks among the largest unsupported church domes in Europe.

Where is the Mosta Rotunda?

The church stands in the middle of Mosta, a large town in central Malta on the main route between the harbour towns and the north. Its dome is a landmark visible from much of the surrounding countryside.

History of the Mosta Rotunda

The Rotunda was built between 1833 and 1860 to a design by the Maltese architect Giorgio Grognet de Vassé, who took the Pantheon in Rome as his model. It was constructed around the older parish church, which continued in use until the new building was complete, and was funded and largely built by the people of Mosta themselves.

The Mosta Miracle of 1942

On 9 April 1942, during the Second World War siege of Malta, a German aerial bomb pierced the dome while several hundred people were inside for Mass. The bomb did not explode, and no one was killed — an event remembered locally as the 'Mosta Miracle'. A replica of the bomb is displayed in the church as a reminder of the episode.

What to see at the Mosta Rotunda

• The dome — one of the largest unsupported church domes in Europe, seen from inside and out.
• The Pantheon-inspired plan — a circular nave ringed by chapels.
• The replica wartime bomb — recalling the 1942 miracle.
• The painted and gilded interior — blue and gold coffered ceiling.

Visiting the Mosta Rotunda

The church is an active parish but also welcomes visitors, sometimes with an admission ticket that may include access to areas associated with the wartime story. Opening hours and any charges should be checked with the parish before visiting, and modest dress is expected.