The main draw card to Mosta is the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady – or the rotunda of Mosta. We actually visited the church several times.
The first time we came was part of our road trip around Malta. We went inside and took at look at the massive building, enjoying its motifs, sculptures and stained-glass windows.
Later that night we had dinner with friends and they told us the story of the church. On April 9, 1942, a 500 kilogram bomb smashed through the dome and fell into a congregation hundreds of people who were waiting for mass to begin. The miracle is that the bomb didn’t explode!
The same type of bomb that pierced the bomb is now on display in the church – the original was dumped at sea.
On hearing this story we knew we had to go back to the Church.
We headed back to Mosta the next day on our way back from Gozo but by the time we found parking the church was closing and they wouldn’t let us in! Visiting hours at the Dome are limited to Monday through Saturday 0900-1100 and 1500-1700. This wasn’t going to be an easy task – especially considering our packed schedule.
We weren’t going to give up so two days later we came back for a third time. Finally, success! We got into the church and made a B-line for the Sacristy where the bomb sits now.
