Rotunda of Mosta: Difference between revisions

Sanctuary Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady
Sanctuary Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady
Santwarju Bażilika ta' Santa Marija
	View of the Rotunda of Mosta
	35°54′36.3″N 14°25′33.2″E / 35.910083°N 14.425889°E
Location	Mosta, Malta
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Website	mostachurch.com
History
Status	Minor basilica, Parish church
Founded	c. 1614
Dedication	Assumption of Mary
Dedicated	15 October 1871
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Architect(s)	Giorgio Grognet de Vassé
Style	Neoclassical
Groundbreaking	30 May 1833
Completed	Early 1860s
Specifications
Length	75 m (246 ft)
Width	55 m (180 ft)
Diameter	130 ft (40 m)
Number of domes	1
Number of spires	2
Materials	Limestone
Administration
Archdiocese	Malta

Browse history interactively

← Previous edit

Content deleted Content added

VisualWikitext

Inline

Latest revision as of 07:37, 15 August 2024

The Sanctuary Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady (Maltese: Santwarju 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 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 around 1614 to designs of Tommaso Dingli.

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.

History

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, the town's population had become too big for this church to cater to. 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 300 people ^[8] was awaiting early evening Mass.^[a] 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 replica of the German bombshell 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").^[9]^[10]^[11]

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, thereby elevating the church to the title of Marian Sanctuary.

On 2 May 1983, taxi driver Carmelo Aquilina voluntarily drove a Mercedes car into the Rotunda following a bet. He drove up the steps of the parvis, broke down the main doorway, and stopped within the church close to the altar. Following the incident, Aquilina was arrested and received a three-month prison sentence while his driving licence was suspended.^[12]

In 2015, the parish requested to the Vatican to be reclassified to the status of a basilica.^[13] The church was elevated to a minor basilica on 29 July 2018 by decree of Pope Francis.^[14]^[15]

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,^[16] and its structure is based on the Pantheon in Rome.^[17]^[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 130 ft (40 m).^[18] 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.^[19]

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.^[20] 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]

Notes

^ May have been only 30-40.^{[citation needed]}

References

^ ^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. Pietà: Pubblikazzjonijiet Indipendenza. pp. 989–990. ISBN 9789993291329.
^ 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). 162 (1). Publications de l'Université de Provence: 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.
^ Gosney, M., The Astonishing Theory Behind The 1942 'Miracle Bomb', Lessons from History, published 19 May 2021, accessed 7 August 2023
^ 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.
^ Cilia, Johnathan (17 January 2021). "#TBT: That Time A Taxi Driver Lost A Bet And Rammed His Car Into The Mosta Dome". Lovin Malta. Archived from the original on 22 June 2021.
^ "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' Bażilika 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 & 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.

External links

Official website Archived 2016-11-24 at the Wayback Machine
Media related to Rotunda of St. Marija Assunta at Wikimedia Commons

[9] May have been only 30-40.^{[citation needed]}

[dingli-1] 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.

[malta-canada-2] Scerri, John. "Mosta". malta-canada.com. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014.

[dictionary-3] Schiavone, Michael J. (2009). Dictionary of Maltese Biographies Vol. 2 G–Z. Pietà: Pubblikazzjonijiet Indipendenza. pp. 989–990. ISBN 9789993291329.

[4] 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). 162 (1). Publications de l'Université de Provence: 159. ISSN 2105-2271.

[macgill-5] MacGill, Thomas (1839). A hand book, or guide, for strangers visiting Malta. Malta: Luigi Tonna. pp. 124–126.

[6] "200-year-old History in an old musty archive". The Malta Independent. 11 March 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.

[7] "Mosta". The Church in Malta. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.

[8] Gosney, M., The Astonishing Theory Behind The 1942 'Miracle Bomb', Lessons from History, published 19 May 2021, accessed 7 August 2023

[10] 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.

[11] "Mosta: Myths and Facts". Malta: War Diary. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.

[12] Dillon, Paddy (2012). Walking in Malta: 33 routes on Malta, Gozo and Comino. Cicerone Press Limited. p. 137. ISBN 9781849656481.

[13] Cilia, Johnathan (17 January 2021). "#TBT: That Time A Taxi Driver Lost A Bet And Rammed His Car Into The Mosta Dome". Lovin Malta. Archived from the original on 22 June 2021.

[14] "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.

[15] Demicoli, Keith (26 July 2018). "Se tingħata t-titlu ta' Bażilika nhar il-Ħadd li ġej" (in Maltese). TVM. Archived from the original on 10 August 2018.

[16] 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.

[17] Rudolf, Uwe Jens; Berg, Warren G. (2010). Historical Dictionary of Malta. Scarecrow Press. p. 31. ISBN 9780810873902.

[18] Gauci. D., G. (1918). "Le chiese di Malta (con.)" (PDF). La Diocesi. 3: 278.

[19] Cauchi, Raymond (1988). The Mosta Rotunda: Short History & Guide. Mosta: Cauchi's Emporium. p. 79.

[MacDonald-20] MacDonald, William Lloyd (2002). The Pantheon: Design, Meaning, and Progeny. Harvard University Press. p. 156. ISBN 9780674010192.

[mahoney-21] Mahoney, Leonardo (1996). 5,000 Years of Architecture in Malta. Valletta Publishing. pp. 216–221. ISBN 9789990958157.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[a]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Infobox church
-| name                   = Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady
+| name = Sanctuary Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady
-| native_name            = Bażilika ta' Santa Marija
+| native_name = Santwarju Bażilika ta' Santa Marija
-| native_name_lang       = mt
+| native_name_lang = mt
-| image                  = [[File:Malta - Mosta - Triq il-Kbira + Rotunda 01 ies.jpg|300px]]
+| image = [[File:Malta - Mosta - Triq il-Kbira + Rotunda 01 ies.jpg|300px]]
-| caption                = View of the Rotunda of Mosta
+| caption = View of the Rotunda of Mosta
-| coordinates            = {{coord|35|54|36.3|N|14|25|33.2|E|display=inline,title}}
+| coordinates = {{coord|35|54|36.3|N|14|25|33.2|E|display=inline,title}}
+| location = [[Mosta]], [[Malta]]
-| location               = [[Mosta]], [[Malta]]
+| denomination = [[Roman Catholic]]
+| website = [http://mostachurch.com/lang/en mostachurch.com]
-| denomination           = [[Roman Catholic]]
+| founded date = {{circa}} 1614
-| website                = [http://mostachurch.com/lang/en mostachurch.com]
+| dedication = [[Assumption of Mary]]
-| founded date           = {{circa}} 1614
+| dedicated date = 15 October 1871
-| dedication             = [[Assumption of Mary]]
-| dedicated date         = 15 October 1871
+| consecrated date =
+| status = [[Minor basilica]], [[Parish church]]
-| consecrated date       =
+| functional status = Active
-| status                 = [[Minor basilica]], [[Parish church]]
+| architect = [[Giorgio Grognet de Vassé]]
-| functional status      = Active
+| style = [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]]
-| architect              = [[Giorgio Grognet de Vassé]]
+| groundbreaking = 30 May 1833
-| style                  = [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]]
+| completed date = Early 1860s
-| groundbreaking         = 30 May 1833
+| length = {{convert|75|m|abbr=on}}
-| completed date         = Early 1860s
-| length                 = {{convert|75|m|abbr=on}}
+| width = {{convert|55|m|abbr=on}}
-| width                  = {{convert|55|m|abbr=on}}
+| diameter = {{Cvt|130|ft}}
+| dome quantity = 1
-| diameter               = {{convert|37.2|m|abbr=on}}
-| dome quantity          = 1
+| spire quantity = 2
+| materials = [[Limestone]]
-| spire quantity         = 2
+| archdiocese = [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Malta|Malta]]
-| materials              = [[Limestone]]
+| logo = Mosta Parish logo.jpg
-| archdiocese            = [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Malta|Malta]]
+| logosize = 150px
-| logo                   = Mosta Parish logo.jpg
-| logosize               = 150px
 }}
-The '''Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady''' ({{lang-mt|Bażilika ta' Santa Marija}}), commonly known as the '''Rotunda of Mosta''' ({{lang-mt|Ir-Rotunda tal-Mosta}}) or the '''Mosta Dome''', is a [[Roman Catholic]] [[parish church]] and [[Minor basilica|Minor Basilica]] in [[Mosta]], [[Malta]], dedicated to the [[Assumption of Mary]]. It was built between 1833 and the 1860s to [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] designs of [[Giorgio Grognet de Vassé]], on the site of an earlier [[Renaissance architecture|Renaissance]] church which had been built in around 1614 to designs of [[Tommaso Dingli]].
+The '''Sanctuary Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady''' ({{lang-mt|Santwarju Bażilika ta' Santa Marija}}), commonly known as the '''Rotunda of Mosta''' ({{lang-mt|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 architecture|neoclassical]] designs of [[Giorgio Grognet de Vassé]], on the site of an earlier [[Renaissance architecture|Renaissance]] church which had been built around 1614 to designs of [[Tommaso Dingli]].
-The design of the present church is based on the [[Pantheon, Rome|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 Maltese as a [[miracle]].
+The design of the present church is based on the [[Pantheon, Rome|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]].
 ==History==
 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 architecture|Renaissance]] architect [[Tommaso Dingli]].<ref name="dingli">{{cite journal|last1=Thake|first1=Conrad|title=Influences of the Spanish Plateresque on Maltese Ecclesiastical Architecture|journal=Proceedings of History Week|date=2013|page=67|url=http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/Proceedings%20of%20History%20Week/PHW2013/05s.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160728171614/http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/Proceedings%20of%20History%20Week/PHW2013/05s.pdf|archivedate=28 July 2016}}</ref> This church was commonly called ''Ta' Ziri''.<ref name="malta-canada">{{cite web|last1=Scerri|first1=John|title=Mosta|url=http://www.malta-canada.com/churches-chapels/Mosta.htm|website=malta-canada.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221120504/http://www.malta-canada.com/churches-chapels/Mosta.htm|archivedate=21 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
-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 architecture|neoclassical]] design based on the [[Pantheon, Rome|Pantheon]] in Rome. Despite opposition from Bishop [[Francesco Saverio Caruana]], the design was approved and construction of the church began on 30 May 1833.<ref name="dictionary"/><ref>{{cite journal|last=Graff|first=Philippe|title=La Valette: une ville nouvelle du XVIe siècle et son évolution jusqu'à nos jours|url=http://www.persee.fr/doc/remmm_0997-1327_1994_num_71_1_1641|language=French|publisher=[[Publications de l'Université de Provence]]|journal=Revue du Monde Musulman et de la Méditerranée: Le carrefour maltais|date=1994|volume=162|issue=1|page=159|issn=2105-2271}}</ref>
+By the 1830s, the town's population had become too big for this church to cater to. [[Giorgio Grognet de Vassé]] proposed rebuilding the church on a [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] design based on the [[Pantheon, Rome|Pantheon]] in Rome. Despite opposition from Bishop [[Francesco Saverio Caruana]], the design was approved, and construction of the church began on 30 May 1833.<ref name="dictionary"/><ref>{{cite journal|last=Graff|first=Philippe|title=La Valette: une ville nouvelle du XVIe siècle et son évolution jusqu'à nos jours|url=http://www.persee.fr/doc/remmm_0997-1327_1994_num_71_1_1641|language=French|publisher=[[Publications de l'Université de Provence]]|journal=Revue du Monde Musulman et de la Méditerranée: Le carrefour maltais|date=1994|volume=162|issue=1|page=159|issn=2105-2271}}</ref>
 [[File:Malta - Mosta - Rotunda in sacristy - Il-Miraklu tal-Bomba 01 ies.jpg|thumb|Replica of the bomb which pierced the dome on 9 April 1942]]
@@ Line 45: / Line 44: @@
 The rotunda took 28 years to build, being completed in the early 1860s.<ref name="dictionary">{{cite book|last1=Schiavone|first1=Michael J.|title=Dictionary of Maltese Biographies Vol. 2 G–Z|date=2009|publisher=Pubblikazzjonijiet Indipendenza|location=[[Pietà, Malta|Pietà]]|isbn=9789993291329|pages=989–990}}</ref> The old church was demolished in 1860,<ref name="dingli"/> and the new church did not need to be consecrated since the site had remained a place of worship throughout the course of construction.<ref name="macgill"/> The church was officially dedicated on 15 October 1871.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mosta|url=http://thechurchinmalta.org/en/posts/631/mosta|website=[[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Malta|The Church in Malta]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308051157/http://thechurchinmalta.org/en/posts/631/mosta|archivedate=8 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
-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&nbsp;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").<ref>{{cite web|title=Mosta: Myths and Facts|url=https://maltagc70.wordpress.com/1779-2/|website=Malta: War Diary|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304211532/https://maltagc70.wordpress.com/1779-2/|archivedate=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Dillon|first1=Paddy|title=Walking in Malta: 33 routes on Malta, Gozo and Comino|date=2012|publisher=Cicerone Press Limited|isbn=9781849656481|page=137|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vhAe82O1mFAC&pg=PA137#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>
+[[Siege of Malta (World War II)|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 {{Convert|50|kg|lb|abbr=on}} high-explosive bomb pierced the dome and entered the church, where a congregation of 300 people <ref>Gosney, M., [https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/the-astonishing-theory-behind-the-1942-miracle-bomb-74270d3e64ff The Astonishing Theory Behind The 1942 'Miracle Bomb'], ''Lessons from History'', published 19 May 2021, accessed 7 August 2023</ref> was awaiting early evening Mass.{{efn|May have been only 30-40.{{cn|date=August 2023}}}} 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 replica of the German bombshell 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").<ref>{{Cite book|last=Lucas|first=Laddie.|url=https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/002564100|title=Malta, the thorn in Rommel's side: six months that turned the war|date=1992|publisher=S. Paul|isbn=978-0-09-174411-3|location=London|pages=48}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mosta: Myths and Facts|url=https://maltagc70.wordpress.com/1779-2/|website=Malta: War Diary|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304211532/https://maltagc70.wordpress.com/1779-2/|archivedate=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Dillon|first1=Paddy|title=Walking in Malta: 33 routes on Malta, Gozo and Comino|date=2012|publisher=Cicerone Press Limited|isbn=9781849656481|page=137|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vhAe82O1mFAC&pg=PA137}}</ref>
+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, thereby 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]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Mosta parish to apply to Vatican to be re-classified to Basilica status|url=http://www.tvm.com.mt/en/news/il-parrocca-tal-mosta-se-tapplika-mal-vatikan-biex-issir-bazilika/|work=[[TVM (Malta)|TVM]]|date=15 August 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150817005246/http://www.tvm.com.mt/en/news/il-parrocca-tal-mosta-se-tapplika-mal-vatikan-biex-issir-bazilika/|archivedate=17 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The church was elevated to the dignity of a Minor basilica on 29 July 2018.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Demicoli |first1=Keith |title=Se tingħata t-titlu ta' Bażilika nhar il-Ħadd li ġej |url=https://www.tvm.com.mt/mt/news/se-tinghata-t-titlu-ta-bazilika-nhar-il-hadd-li-gej/ |publisher=[[Television Malta|TVM]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810000300/https://www.tvm.com.mt/mt/news/se-tinghata-t-titlu-ta-bazilika-nhar-il-hadd-li-gej/ |archivedate=10 August 2018 |language=Maltese |date=26 July 2018}}</ref>
+On 2 May 1983, [[taxi]] driver Carmelo Aquilina voluntarily drove a [[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes]] car into the Rotunda following a bet. He drove up the steps of the parvis, broke down the main doorway, and stopped within the church close to the altar. Following the incident, Aquilina was arrested and received a three-month prison sentence while his driving licence was suspended.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cilia |first1=Johnathan |title=#TBT: That Time A Taxi Driver Lost A Bet And Rammed His Car Into The Mosta Dome |url=https://lovinmalta.com/lifestyle/history/tbt-that-time-a-taxi-driver-lost-a-bet-and-rammed-his-car-into-the-mosta-dome/ |work=Lovin Malta |date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622165846/https://lovinmalta.com/lifestyle/history/tbt-that-time-a-taxi-driver-lost-a-bet-and-rammed-his-car-into-the-mosta-dome/ |archive-date=22 June 2021}}</ref>
+In 2015, the parish requested to the Vatican to be reclassified to the status of a [[Basilicas in the Catholic Church|basilica]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Mosta parish to apply to Vatican to be re-classified to Basilica status|url=http://www.tvm.com.mt/en/news/il-parrocca-tal-mosta-se-tapplika-mal-vatikan-biex-issir-bazilika/|work=[[TVM (Malta)|TVM]]|date=15 August 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150817005246/http://www.tvm.com.mt/en/news/il-parrocca-tal-mosta-se-tapplika-mal-vatikan-biex-issir-bazilika/|archivedate=17 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The church was elevated to a minor basilica on 29 July 2018 by decree of [[Pope Francis]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Demicoli |first1=Keith |title=Se tingħata t-titlu ta' Bażilika nhar il-Ħadd li ġej |url=https://www.tvm.com.mt/mt/news/se-tinghata-t-titlu-ta-bazilika-nhar-il-hadd-li-gej/ |publisher=[[Television Malta|TVM]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810000300/https://www.tvm.com.mt/mt/news/se-tinghata-t-titlu-ta-bazilika-nhar-il-hadd-li-gej/ |archivedate=10 August 2018 |language=Maltese |date=26 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Vella |first=Sandro |date=10 March 2019 |title=Mosta Rotunda elevated to the dignity of minor basilica |pages=54–55 |work=The Sunday Times of Malta |url=https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/52394/1/Mosta_Rotunda_elevated_to_the_dignity_of_minor_basilica.PDF |via=um.edu.mt}}</ref>
 ==Architecture==
 [[File:Façade du Panthéon, Rome (6480988697).jpg|thumb|left|Late 19th century photograph of the [[Pantheon, Rome|Pantheon]] in Rome, which inspired the design of the Rotunda of Mosta]]
-The Rotunda of Mosta is built in the [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical style]],<ref>{{cite book|last1=Rudolf|first1=Uwe Jens|last2=Berg|first2=Warren G.|title=Historical Dictionary of Malta|date=2010|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=9780810873902|page=31|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nwuUOVkaMB0C&pg=PA31#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref> and its structure is based on the [[Pantheon, Rome|Pantheon]] in Rome.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=La Diocesi|title=Le chiese di Malta (con.)|first=G.|last=Gauci. D.|volume=3|date=1918|url=http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/La%20Diocesi/La%20Diocesi.%202(1917-1918)/14.pdf|page=278}}</ref><ref name="dictionary"/> Its façade has a [[portico]] with six [[Ionic order|Ionic]] columns, which is flanked by two [[bell tower]]s. Being a [[Rotunda (architecture)|rotunda]], the church has a circular plan with walls about {{convert|9.1|m|abbr=on}} thick supporting a dome with an internal diameter of {{convert|37.2|m|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Cauchi|first1=Raymond|title=The Mosta Rotunda: Short History & Guide|date=1988|publisher=Cauchi's Emporium|location=[[Mosta]]|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DlG0AAAAIAAJ|page=79}}</ref> At one time, the dome was the third largest in the world.<ref name="malta-canada"/> The church's interior contains eight niches, including a bay containing the main entrance and a deep [[apse]] with the main altar.<ref name="MacDonald">{{cite book|last1=MacDonald|first1=William Lloyd|title=The Pantheon: Design, Meaning, and Progeny|date=2002|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=9780674010192|page=156|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vjKDS_XoPXQC&pg=PA156#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>
+The Rotunda of Mosta is built in the [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical style]],<ref>{{cite book|last1=Rudolf|first1=Uwe Jens|last2=Berg|first2=Warren G.|title=Historical Dictionary of Malta|date=2010|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=9780810873902|page=31|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nwuUOVkaMB0C&pg=PA31}}</ref> and its structure is based on the [[Pantheon, Rome|Pantheon]] in Rome.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=La Diocesi|title=Le chiese di Malta (con.)|first=G.|last=Gauci. D.|volume=3|date=1918|url=http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/La%20Diocesi/La%20Diocesi.%202(1917-1918)/14.pdf|page=278}}</ref><ref name="dictionary"/> Its façade has a [[portico]] with six [[Ionic order|Ionic]] columns, which is flanked by two [[bell tower]]s. Being a [[Rotunda (architecture)|rotunda]], the church has a circular plan with walls about {{convert|9.1|m|abbr=on}} thick supporting a dome with an internal diameter of {{Cvt|130|ft}}.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Cauchi|first1=Raymond|title=The Mosta Rotunda: Short History & Guide|date=1988|publisher=Cauchi's Emporium|location=[[Mosta]]|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DlG0AAAAIAAJ|page=79}}</ref> At one time, the dome was the third-largest in the world.<ref name="malta-canada"/> The church's interior contains eight niches, including a bay containing the main entrance and a deep [[apse]] with the main altar.<ref name="MacDonald">{{cite book|last1=MacDonald|first1=William Lloyd|title=The Pantheon: Design, Meaning, and Progeny|date=2002|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=9780674010192|page=156|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vjKDS_XoPXQC&pg=PA156}}</ref>
-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.<ref name="mahoney">{{cite book|last=Mahoney|first=Leonardo|date=1996|title=5,000 Years of Architecture in Malta |publisher=Valletta Publishing|pages=216-221|isbn=9789990958157}}</ref> 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."<ref name="macgill">{{cite book|last1=MacGill|first1=Thomas|title=A hand book, or guide, for strangers visiting Malta|date=1839|publisher=Luigi Tonna|location=[[Malta]]|pages=124–126|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bJ8NAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA124#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref> The design was well-received upon completion, and it is regarded as Grognet's [[masterpiece]].<ref name="dictionary"/>
+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.<ref name="mahoney">{{cite book|last=Mahoney|first=Leonardo|date=1996|title=5,000 Years of Architecture in Malta |publisher=Valletta Publishing|pages=216–221|isbn=9789990958157}}</ref> 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 Lia|casal]] every visitor to Malta."<ref name="macgill">{{cite book|last1=MacGill|first1=Thomas|title=A hand book, or guide, for strangers visiting Malta|date=1839|publisher=Luigi Tonna|location=[[Malta]]|pages=124–126|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bJ8NAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA124}}</ref> The design was well-received upon completion, and it is regarded as Grognet's [[masterpiece]].<ref name="dictionary"/>
+[[File:Rotonda de Mosta, isla de Malta, Malta, 2021-08-25, DD 85-102 HDR PAN.jpg |thumb|Interior of the rotunda]]
-[[File:Sudika Mosta Dome interior.jpg|thumb|centre|600px|Interior of the rotunda]]
+[[File:Rotonda de Mosta, isla de Malta, Malta, 2021-08-25, DD 109-111 HDR.jpg|thumb|Main altar]]
 ==Further reading==
-*{{cite book|last=Gaul|first=Simon|date=2007|url=https://books.google.com.mt/books?id=Fevix8jSqg0C&pg=PA252&lpg=PA252&dq=grognet+de+vasse&source=bl&ots=Tgu-K7oJHY&sig=Pq1d8Hk3tHK3X5FeNoXLm3ef1Jc&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_kraXrMbPAhXBPBQKHW2ZAbAQ6AEISTAM#v=onepage&q=grognet%20de%20vasse&f=false|title=Malta, Gozo and Comino|publisher=New Holland Publishers|page=252|isbn=9781860113659}}
+*{{cite book|last=Gaul|first=Simon|date=2007|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fevix8jSqg0C&q=grognet+de+vasse&pg=PA252|title=Malta, Gozo and Comino|publisher=New Holland Publishers|page=252|isbn=9781860113659}}
 *{{cite journal|journal=Scientia|last=Galea|first=R. V.|date=1954|title=Architecture in Malta|url=http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/Scientia%20(Malta)/Scientia.%2008(1942)4(Oct.-Dec.)/01.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417211859/http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/Scientia%20(Malta)/Scientia.%2008(1942)4(Oct.-Dec.)/01.pdf|archive-date=17 April 2016|volume=8|issue=4|pages=158–159}}
@@ Line 69: / Line 72: @@
 *[[List of largest domes]]
 *[[Religion in Malta]]
+==Notes==
+{{notelist}}
 ==References==
-{{reflist|30em}}
+{{Reflist|30em}}
 ==Further reading==
@@ Line 77: / Line 83: @@
 ==External links==
+*[http://mostachurch.com/lang/en Official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124025840/http://mostachurch.com/lang/en |date=2016-11-24 }}
-{{commons category|Rotunda of St. Marija Assunta}}
+*{{commons category-inline|Rotunda of St. Marija Assunta}}
-*[http://mostachurch.com/lang/en Official website]
+{{Parish churches in Malta and Gozo}}
+{{Authority control}}
+[[Category:1860s establishments in Malta]]
 [[Category:Mosta]]
 [[Category:Basilica churches in Malta]]
-[[Category:Roman Catholic churches in Malta]]
+[[Category:19th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in Malta]]
 [[Category:Roman Catholic churches completed in the 1860s]]
 [[Category:Limestone churches in Malta]]
 [[Category:Round churches]]
-[[Category:Neoclassical architecture in Malta]]
 [[Category:Church buildings with domes]]
+[[Category:Rotundas in Europe]]
+[[Category:Neoclassical church buildings in Malta]]
+[[Category:Assumption of Mary]]

v t e Roman Catholic parish churches in Republic of Malta
Archdiocese of Malta	Attard Balluta Balzan Birkirkara (St Helen) Birkirkara (St Joseph the Worker) Birkirkara (St Mary) Birżebbuġa Burmarrad Cospicua Dingli Fgura Fleur-de-Lys Floriana Għargħur Għaxaq Gudja Gwardamanġa Gżira Ħamrun (Immaculate Conception) Ħamrun (St Cajetan) Ibraġ Iklin Kalkara Kirkop Lija Luqa Manikata Marsa (Queenship of Mary) Marsa (Holy Trinity) Marsaskala Marsaxlokk Mdina Mellieħa Mġarr Mosta Mqabba Msida Mtarfa Naxxar Paola (Christ the King) Paola (Our Lady of Lourdes) Pembroke Qawra Qormi (St George) Qormi (St Sebastian) Qrendi Rabat Safi St Julian's St Paul's Bay San Ġwann Santa Luċija Santa Venera Senglea Siġġiewi Sliema (Jesus of Nazareth) Sliema (Our Lady of the Sacred Heart) Sliema (St Gregory) Sliema (Stella Maris) Swatar Ta' Xbiex Tarxien Valletta (St John the Baptist) Valletta (St Dominic) Valletta (St Paul's Shipwreck) Valletta (St Augustine) Vittoriosa Żabbar Żebbuġ Żejtun Żurrieq
Diocese of Gozo	Fontana Għajnsielem Għarb Għasri Kerċem Munxar Nadur Qala San Lawrenz Sannat Victoria (Assumption) Victoria (St George) Xagħra Xewkija Żebbuġ
Cathedrals in bold

Authority control databases
National	Germany
Geographic	Structurae