How to Visit the Mosta Rotunda and Mosta Dome in Malta
No trip to Malta is complete without a visit to the Mosta Rotunda or Mosta Dome, also known as the Rotunda of the Church of St Maria Assunta. With its dominating dome and fascinating history, it’s one of Malta’s most famous landmarks. Do not miss out on this church!
As you approach the city, the Mosta Rotunda dominates the skyline. The real jaw-dropping moment is when you first walk in and see the sheer size of it.
Whether you’re a history buff, architecture fanatic, or just love taking a good photograph, there is something at the Mosta Rotunda for you!
Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through its fascinating history, practical tips for visiting, and the highlights that make this place unforgettable.
How to Visit the Mosta Rotunda and Mosta Dome in Malta
History of the Mosta Rotunda
I love visiting historical places and learning about the background of a place. It makes me love this place even more. And this has some of the craziest and luckiest history in Malta.
The Mosta Rotunda was built between 1833 and 1860, designed by a local Maltese architect. The growing community needed a new church because most of the congregation had to stand outside of the original church during services. Giorgio Grognet de Vassé heavily based his neo-classic design of the Mosta Dome on the Pantheon in Rome, and you can definitely see the resemblance once you step inside!
The construction of the dome was heavily funded by the locals, with many volunteering to help build it.
The Mosta Dome has a diameter of 39.6 meters, making it the third-largest unsupported dome in the world! And not by a lot, it’s only a few meters smaller than the Pantheon dome!
But I haven’t even got to the craziest part yet!
The rotunda’s history took a dramatic turn on April 9, 1942, during World War II. A German bomb pierced the dome and fell right in the middle of the church while service was happening with over 300 people! Miraculously, it didn’t explode! *WHAT?!?*
The Mosta Rotunda became known as the “Miracle Church,” a symbol of hope and divine intervention.
Today, a replica of the bomb is displayed as a testament to this extraordinary moment in Maltese history.
Planning Your Visit to the Mosta Rotunda
How to Get to the Mosta Rotunda
Public transport makes it easy to visit the Mosta Rotunda and Mosta Dome and Mosta’s central location on the island makes it easily accessible from anywhere.
By Bus: If you are staying in Valletta, then it only takes about 30 minutes to reach Mosta. Bus 41 and 42 run from Valletta to Cirkewwa with a stop at Mosta and bus 31 runs between Valletta and St Paul’s Bay. I like to use the Malta Public Transport Trip Planner when I’m using the buses in Malta.
By Taxi: You have three options when it comes to taking taxis in Malta. You can download Bolt, Uber, or eCabs. I prefer Bolt, I cannot praise them enough! There always seem to be more Bolt drivers around, they have all been super friendly, and the prices are cheaper than Uber, eCabs is linked to the regular taxis in Malta and while they usually have the lowest price, every time I have used them, I have had to walk to THEIR location and had to try to figure out where the driver parked.
By Car: If you have rented a car, then it’s easy to reach the Mosta Rotunda from anywhere, however, parking is not so great. You might find it challenging to get a parking spot as there is no dedicated parking lot for the church. If you get there early in the morning then you shouldn’t have an issue finding street parking near the church.
Visting the Mosta Rotunda
There is a small entry fee to visit the Mosta Dome, but you also get to climb to the top of the dome, visit the church, and head outside and underground to the WWII shelter.
The church opens at 9:30am every day, except Sunday when there are limited hours, so always check the Mosta Dome Official Site for updated hours of operation. The last entry is always 30 minutes before closing time, but I think you need at least an hour to enjoy this church.
Timing your visit can make all the difference when visiting the Mosta Rotunda. The lighting in mid-morning is gorgeous and lights up the space beautifully, but there will be more people there. If you want a less-crowded experience, get there at opening time. I was lucky enough to visit during a choir practice and the whole was lit up with angelic voices.
If your schedule allows it, avoid Sundays and holidays, the church service will be happening and it will be very crowded.
Things to Do at Mosta Rotunda
Walk Around the Church
Ok, obvious one, but you don’t want to accidentally miss out, do you?
This is where you can really get a feel for the size of the church. For me, the exterior was quite deceiving because it looked a lot smaller on the outside, and then walking into this amazing church, I was in awe.
The interior is lined with several alcoves adorned with detailed frescoes. The altar is made of marble and was constructed by Sicilian artists in 1871, statues of Saint John and Saint Luke are on either side.
The marble floor design was originally proposed by Giorgio Grognet de Vassé and was completed in the early 1900s. While it doesn’t look like a super impressive floor from ground level, once you climb to the top of the dome and look down, you’ll notice that the floor complements the dome ceiling perfectly.
Climb to the Top of the Mosta Dome
When I first visited the Mosta Rotunda, I had no idea you could climb to the top of the dome. I also wasn’t prepared for it. I bought my ticket and the attendant pointed me in the direction of a doorway, telling me my tour started there.
I started walking up some stairs and I had no idea where I was going and then there were more stairs and I realized I was going all the way to the top! By then it was too late, I was committed!
When you reach the top of the church, you will walk outside and then climb up just a few more stairs (might as well keep going) to reach the inside of the dome. Sixteen windows surround the base of the dome with a Latin inscription around the cornice.
It is AMAZING!
The views from above are magical and the size of the dome blew my mind. You can even see where the bomb crashed through and the repairs have been made.
If you are afraid of heights, you will be able to make it to the top of the church. The railings are high and you won’t be able to look directly down, however, I don’t recommend going inside the rotunda, because the walkway is VERY narrow and you are VERY high… even I got a little woozy.
Visiting the Sacristies
The sacristies are a sort of museum for the church, filled with various objects of prestige and religious paintings of value. There is also a large-scale model of the Mosta Rotunda, which is quite impressive.
Here you will also find the replica of the German bomb that fell through the church’s dome. Just looking at the size of it, really puts everything in perspective. That day could’ve gone a lot differently, and it really is a miracle that the bomb didn’t go off!
Explore the World War II Shelter
When you have finished exploring the Mosta Rotunda, head outside and down the stairs to the World War II air raid shelter.
The shelter was dug out of the limestone by hand and goes under the church. You can walk around the small alcoves and down the narrow hallway. There are World War II artifacts lining the walls and information panels to keep you in the know!
I explored a few World War II shelters in Malta and this was one of the smaller ones I checked out, however, there was a lot more information in this one than some of the others and if you are a little claustrophobic and have been missing out on the bigger, longer WWII shelters, this one isn’t as bad!
Where to Stay to Visit the Mosta Rotunda
The Mosta Rotunda is a great way to spend your morning or afternoon, and with it being in the middle of the island, you really don’t need to stay in Mosta to experience the church. You can easily take public transport or a taxi to Mosta, so there is no need to stay in town.
If you are visiting with your family, then Mellieha Bay is a great place to base yourself, or if you want more nightlife, then stay in St Paul’s Bay. I prefer to stay in Valletta because I love the history and there is plenty of transportation around when I need it.
- Luna Holiday Complex – Mellieha
- Seabank Resort – Mellieha
- DoubleTree by Hilton – St Paul’s Bay
- Beach Apartment – St Paul’s Bay
- The Embassy Hotel – Valletta
- Central Apartment – Valletta (Where I stayed!)
Nearby Attractions to the Mosta Dome
Mosta isn’t a very touristy town, so if you want to have a wander then you’ll find lots of local cafes and shops. If you are visiting on a Monday before 1pm, stop by the Mosta Monday Market and check out what’s on offer.
The Ta’ Bistra Catacombs are a short drive out of town and possibly some of the earliest tombs of Christian dwellers on the island. Naxxar is the next town over and it’s the perfect place to combine a day trip with Mosta. You cannot miss out on the Palazzo Parisio, check out their website for events going on, they even do a Regency-era charity ball!
There are also plenty of other places nearby that you can pair with the Mosta Rotunda to fill up your day. Mdina and Rabat are just a 10-minute drive away or you could take the bus for a little under 30 minutes.
Mellieha and the Popeye Village are only 30 minutes north of Mosta and you’ll have plenty of time to do both in one day!
Are you heading to Malta soon? Are you thinking about visiting the Mosta Rotunda and climbing the Mosta Dome? Let me know in the comments below! I’d love to connect!
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