The design of the present church is based on the Pantheon in Rome, has the third largest unsupported dome in the world and is Malta's largest and most famous church. The church narrowly avoided destruction during World War II when 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 Maltese as a miracle.
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.[1] This church was commonly called Ta' Ziri.[2]
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.[3][4]
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.[5] Since Grognet had never received any formal architectural training, he received consultation services from an architect of the Sammut family.[6]
The rotunda took 28 years to build, being completed in the early 1860s.[3] The old church was demolished in 1860,[1] and the new church did not need to be consecrated since the site had remained a place of worship throughout the course of construction.[5] The church was officially dedicated on 15 October 1871.[7]
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 50 kg (110 lb) high-explosive bomb pierced the dome and entered the church, where a congregation of more than 300 people was 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").[8][9][10]
On 12 December 1973, Pope Paul VI issued a decree of canonical coronation of the titular painting of Our Lady of the Assumption that was crowned later on 10 August 1975, therefore elevating the church to the title of Marian Sanctuary.
In 2015, the parish requested to the Vatican to be reclassified to the status of a basilica.[11] The church was elevated to a minor basilica on 29 July 2018 by decree of Pope Francis.[12][13]
Architecture
Late 19th century photograph of the Pantheon in Rome, which inspired the design of the Rotunda of Mosta
The Rotunda of Mosta is built in the neoclassical style,[14] and its structure is based on the Pantheon in Rome.[15][3] 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).[16] At one time, the dome was the third largest in the world.[2] The church's interior contains eight niches, including a bay containing the main entrance and a deep apse with the main altar.[17]
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.[18] However, others praised the design, and an 1839 book written while the church was being built describes it as "certainly the most magnificent, extensive and solid modern building" in Malta. This book further states that "when finished, [the church] will be an ornament to the Island, will immortalize the architect, and draw towards the casal every visitor to Malta."[5] The design was well-received upon completion, and it is regarded as Grognet's masterpiece.[3]
Interior of the rotunda
Main altar
Further reading
Gaul, Simon (2007). Malta, Gozo and Comino. New Holland Publishers. p. 252. ISBN9781860113659.
Galea, R. V. (1954). (PDF). Scientia. 8 (4): 158–159. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 April 2016.
^ abThake, Conrad (2013). (PDF). Proceedings of History Week: 67. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 July 2016.
^ abScerri, John. . malta-canada.com. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014.
^ abcdSchiavone, Michael J. (2009). Dictionary of Maltese Biographies Vol. 2 G–Z. Pietà: Pubblikazzjonijiet Indipendenza. pp. 989–990. ISBN9789993291329.
^Graff, Philippe (1994). "La Valette: une ville nouvelle du XVIe siècle et son évolution jusqu'à nos jours". Revue du Monde Musulman et de la Méditerranée: Le carrefour maltais (in French). Publications de l'Université de Provence. 162 (1): 159. ISSN 2105-2271.
^ abcMacGill, Thomas (1839). A hand book, or guide, for strangers visiting Malta. Malta: Luigi Tonna. pp. 124–126.
^Lucas, Laddie. (1992). Malta, the thorn in Rommel's side: six months that turned the war. London: S. Paul. p. 48. ISBN978-0-09-174411-3.
^. Malta: War Diary. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
^Dillon, Paddy (2012). Walking in Malta: 33 routes on Malta, Gozo and Comino. Cicerone Press Limited. p. 137. ISBN9781849656481.
^. TVM. 15 August 2015. Archived from the original on 17 August 2015.
^Demicoli, Keith (26 July 2018). (in Maltese). TVM. Archived from the original on 10 August 2018.
^Vella, Sandro (10 March 2019). "Mosta Rotunda elevated to the dignity of minor basilica" (PDF). The Sunday Times of Malta. pp. 54–55 – via um.edu.mt.
^Rudolf, Uwe Jens; Berg, Warren G. (2010). Historical Dictionary of Malta. Scarecrow Press. p. 31. ISBN9780810873902.
^Gauci. D., G. (1918). "Le chiese di Malta (con.)" (PDF). La Diocesi. 3: 278.
^Cauchi, Raymond (1988). The Mosta Rotunda: Short History & Guide. Mosta: Cauchi's Emporium. p. 79.
^MacDonald, William Lloyd (2002). The Pantheon: Design, Meaning, and Progeny. Harvard University Press. p. 156. ISBN9780674010192.
^Mahoney, Leonardo (1996). 5,000 Years of Architecture in Malta. Valletta Publishing. pp. 216–221. ISBN9789990958157.
Further reading
Cauchi, Raymond (1988). The Mosta Rotunda: Short History & Guide. Mosta: Cauchi's Emporium.
External links
Official website
Media related to Rotunda of St. Marija Assunta at Wikimedia Commons
December 27, 2022
rotunda, mosta, sanctuary, basilica, assumption, lady, maltese, santwarju, bażilika, santa, marija, commonly, known, maltese, rotunda, mosta, mosta, dome, roman, catholic, parish, church, basilica, mosta, malta, dedicated, assumption, mary, built, between, 183. The Sanctuary Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady Maltese Santwarju Bazilika 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 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 Vasse on the site of an earlier Renaissance church which had been built in around 1614 to designs of Tommaso Dingli Sanctuary Basilica of the Assumption of Our LadySantwarju Bazilika ta Santa MarijaView of the Rotunda of Mosta35 54 36 3 N 14 25 33 2 E 35 910083 N 14 425889 E 35 910083 14 425889 Coordinates 35 54 36 3 N 14 25 33 2 E 35 910083 N 14 425889 E 35 910083 14 425889LocationMosta MaltaDenominationRoman CatholicWebsitemostachurch comHistoryStatusMinor basilica Parish churchFoundedc 1614DedicationAssumption of MaryDedicated15 October 1871ArchitectureFunctional statusActiveArchitect s Giorgio Grognet de VasseStyleNeoclassicalGroundbreaking30 May 1833CompletedEarly 1860sSpecificationsLength75 m 246 ft Width55 m 180 ft Diameter37 2 m 122 ft Number of domes1Number of spires2MaterialsLimestoneAdministrationArchdioceseMaltaThe design of the present church is based on the Pantheon in Rome has the third largest unsupported dome in the world and is Malta s largest and most famous church The church narrowly avoided destruction during World War II when 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 Maltese as a miracle Contents 1 History 2 Architecture 3 Further reading 4 See also 5 References 6 Further reading 7 External linksHistory EditAlthough 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 1 This church was commonly called Ta Ziri 2 By the 1830s this church had become too small to cater for the town s population Giorgio Grognet de Vasse 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 3 4 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 5 Since Grognet had never received any formal architectural training he received consultation services from an architect of the Sammut family 6 The rotunda took 28 years to build being completed in the early 1860s 3 The old church was demolished in 1860 1 and the new church did not need to be consecrated since the site had remained a place of worship throughout the course of construction 5 The church was officially dedicated on 15 October 1871 7 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 50 kg 110 lb high explosive bomb pierced the dome and entered the church where a congregation of more than 300 people was 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 8 9 10 On 12 December 1973 Pope Paul VI issued a decree of canonical coronation of the titular painting of Our Lady of the Assumption that was crowned later on 10 August 1975 therefore elevating the church to the title of Marian Sanctuary In 2015 the parish requested to the Vatican to be reclassified to the status of a basilica 11 The church was elevated to a minor basilica on 29 July 2018 by decree of Pope Francis 12 13 Architecture Edit Late 19th century photograph of the Pantheon in Rome which inspired the design of the Rotunda of Mosta The Rotunda of Mosta is built in the neoclassical style 14 and its structure is based on the Pantheon in Rome 15 3 Its facade 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 16 At one time the dome was the third largest in the world 2 The church s interior contains eight niches including a bay containing the main entrance and a deep apse with the main altar 17 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 18 However others praised the design and an 1839 book written while the church was being built describes it as certainly the most magnificent extensive and solid modern building in Malta This book further states that when finished the church will be an ornament to the Island will immortalize the architect and draw towards the casal every visitor to Malta 5 The design was well received upon completion and it is regarded as Grognet s masterpiece 3 Interior of the rotunda Main altarFurther reading EditGaul Simon 2007 Malta Gozo and Comino New Holland Publishers p 252 ISBN 9781860113659 Galea R V 1954 Architecture in Malta PDF Scientia 8 4 158 159 Archived from the original PDF on 17 April 2016 See also Edit Catholicism portal History portal Malta portal Culture of Malta History of Malta List of churches in Malta List of largest domes Religion in MaltaReferences Edit a b Thake Conrad 2013 Influences of the Spanish Plateresque on Maltese Ecclesiastical Architecture PDF Proceedings of History Week 67 Archived from the original PDF on 28 July 2016 a b Scerri John Mosta malta canada com Archived from the original on 21 February 2014 a b c d Schiavone Michael J 2009 Dictionary of Maltese Biographies Vol 2 G Z Pieta Pubblikazzjonijiet Indipendenza pp 989 990 ISBN 9789993291329 Graff Philippe 1994 La Valette une ville nouvelle du XVIe siecle et son evolution jusqu a nos jours Revue du Monde Musulman et de la Mediterranee Le carrefour maltais in French Publications de l Universite de Provence 162 1 159 ISSN 2105 2271 a b c MacGill Thomas 1839 A hand book or guide for strangers visiting Malta Malta Luigi Tonna pp 124 126 200 year old History in an old musty archive The Malta Independent 11 March 2012 Archived from the original on 4 March 2016 Mosta The Church in Malta Archived from the original on 8 March 2016 Lucas Laddie 1992 Malta the thorn in Rommel s side six months that turned the war London S Paul p 48 ISBN 978 0 09 174411 3 Mosta Myths and Facts Malta War Diary Archived from the original on 4 March 2016 Dillon Paddy 2012 Walking in Malta 33 routes on Malta Gozo and Comino Cicerone Press Limited p 137 ISBN 9781849656481 Mosta parish to apply to Vatican to be re classified to Basilica status TVM 15 August 2015 Archived from the original on 17 August 2015 Demicoli Keith 26 July 2018 Se tingħata t titlu ta Bazilika nhar il Ħadd li ġej in Maltese TVM Archived from the original on 10 August 2018 Vella Sandro 10 March 2019 Mosta Rotunda elevated to the dignity of minor basilica PDF The Sunday Times of Malta pp 54 55 via um edu mt Rudolf Uwe Jens Berg Warren G 2010 Historical Dictionary of Malta Scarecrow Press p 31 ISBN 9780810873902 Gauci D G 1918 Le chiese di Malta con PDF La Diocesi 3 278 Cauchi Raymond 1988 The Mosta Rotunda Short History amp Guide Mosta Cauchi s Emporium p 79 MacDonald William Lloyd 2002 The Pantheon Design Meaning and Progeny Harvard University Press p 156 ISBN 9780674010192 Mahoney Leonardo 1996 5 000 Years of Architecture in Malta Valletta Publishing pp 216 221 ISBN 9789990958157 Further reading EditCauchi Raymond 1988 The Mosta Rotunda Short History amp Guide Mosta Cauchi s Emporium External links EditOfficial website Media related to Rotunda of St Marija Assunta at Wikimedia Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Rotunda of Mosta amp oldid 1123042975, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
