Rotunda of Mosta

Sanctuary Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady
Santwarju Bażilika ta' Santa Marija
View of the Rotunda of Mosta
Map
35°54′36.3″N 14°25′33.2″E / 35.910083°N 14.425889°E / 35.910083; 14.425889
LocationMosta, Malta
DenominationRoman Catholic
Websitemostachurch.com
History
StatusMinor basilica, Parish church
Foundedc. 1614
DedicationAssumption of Mary
Dedicated15 October 1871
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Architect(s)Giorgio Grognet de Vassé
StyleNeoclassical
Groundbreaking30 May 1833
CompletedEarly 1860s
Specifications
Length75 m (246 ft)
Width55 m (180 ft)
Diameter130 ft (40 m)
Number of domes1
Number of spires2
MaterialsLimestone
Administration
ArchdioceseMalta

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.