Thursday, December 11, 2025

MALTA - THE ISLAND OF THE KNIGHTS OF SAINT JOHN - WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT MALTA - WHAT TO DO AND WHAT TO SEE IN A WEEK IN MALTA - DAY 5 VISIT ROTUNDA OF MOSTA (Ir-Rotunda tal-Mosta) AND SAN ĠILJAN

TRIP TO MALTA, THE ISLAND OF THE KNIGHTS OF SAINT JOHN

Day 5: Visit to the Rotunda of Mosta (Ir-Rotunda tal-Mosta) and St. Julian's (San Ġiljan)

Rotunda of Mosta, Ir-Rotunda tal-Mosta

The Sanctuary Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady, also known as the Rotunda of Mosta or Mosta Dome, is a Catholic basilica dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven.

Sanctuary Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady

also known as the Rotunda of Mosta or Mosta Dome

The design of the church is inspired by the Pantheon in Rome, it has the third largest unsupported dome in the world, and is the largest church in Malta, and it took 28 years to complete its construction.

It has the third largest unsupported dome in the world

On April 9, 1942, the Germans bombed the church, the bomb pierced the roof during the service but did not explode and remains as an exhibit inside the church, since it is considered a miracle that it did not explode.

The Germans bombed the church, the bomb pierced the roof during the service but did not explode and remains as an exhibit inside the church

Along with the church, we also visited the underground shelters, which exist under the church and were used by the residents during the Second World War.

Stergios in the shelter

Every day objects in the shelter

We returned to the hotel and in the afternoon we went for a walk in St. Julian's (San Ġiljan). Our walk began with a coffee at the Hilton Hotel in Malta.