Mosta Attractions

St Mary's was begun in 1833, long before immigration had enriched its then tiny population. The church took 27 years to build and the entire dome was constructed without the use of scaffolding, based on a design by architect George Grognet de Vasse.

The whole has been likened to the Pantheon, but with intricately decorated belfries.

Under the towering simple dome and its 16 windows spiraling up to the lantern are six side chapels. The floor is an intricate geometry of two different marble inlays that weave an interplay of patterns with the ceiling. The murals were painted by Guiseppe Cali early in this century. Before the main altar and to the left is the sacristy. Displayed among the usual souvenirs is a replica of a large Luftwaffe bomb that pierced the dome in April, 1942, as more than 300 people milled around waiting for evening mass. It was one of three to hit the dome (the other two bounced off) but miraculously it did not explode.