View source for Mosta

{{distinguish|Mostar}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Mosta
| native_name        = Il-Mosta
| native_name_lang   = mt
| official_name      = 
| other_name         = Musta
| settlement_type    = [[Local councils of Malta|Local council]]
| image_skyline      = [[File:Mosta Dome 4 (6946839125).jpg|300px]]
| image_caption      = View of Mosta with the Rotunda in the centre, photographed from [[Mdina]] in 2012
| image_flag         = Flag of Mosta.svg
| image_shield       = Mosta_Coat_of_Arms.jpg
| etymology          = 
| nickname           = 
| motto              = ''Spes Alit Ruricolam''
| image_map          = Mosta in Malta.svg
| map_caption        = 
| coordinates        = {{coord|35|54|35|N|14|25|34|E|type:city_region:MT|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|Malta}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[Regions of Malta|Region]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Northern Region, Malta|Northern Region]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Districts of Malta|District]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Districts of Malta#Northern District|Northern District]]
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 
| founder            = 
| parts_type         = Borders
| parts_style        = para
| p1                 = [[Attard]], [[Lija]], [[Mġarr]], [[Naxxar]], [[Rabat, Malta|Rabat]], [[St. Paul's Bay]]
| leader_title       = [[List of mayors of places in Malta|Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Joseph Gatt
| leader_party       = [[Nationalist Party (Malta)|PN]]
| unit_pref          = Metric
| area_total_km2     = 6.8
| area_note          = 
| area_footnotes     = 
| elevation_m        = 
| elevation_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 23,482
| population_as_of   = 2021
| population_footnotes = 
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_note    = 
| population_demonyms = Mosti (m), Mostija (f), Mostin (pl)
| timezone1          = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset1        = +1
| timezone1_DST      = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset1_DST    = +2
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal codes in Malta|Postal code]]
| postal_code        = MST
| area_code_type     = [[List of country calling codes|Dialing code]]
| area_code          = 356
| iso_code           = MT-32
| blank_name_sec1    = Zones
| blank_info_sec1    = <small>[[Beżbiżija]], [[Blata l-Għolja]], [[Folju]], [[il-Ħanqa]], [[Mosta Technopark]], [[Mount Saint Joseph (Mosta)|Mount Saint Joseph]], [[San Ġużepp tat-Tarġa]], [[San Pawl Eremita]], [[San Pawl tal-Qlejgħa]], [[San Silvestru]], [[Santa Margerita]], ([[Sgħajtar]]), [[L-Isperanza]], [[Ta' Bistra]], [[Ta' Maċedonja]], [[Ta' Mlit]], [[Ta' Redusa]], [[Ta' Srajgu]], [[Ta' Xkora]], [[Tal-Awrora]], [[Taċ-Ċawla]], [[Tad-Daqqaq]], [[Tad-Dib]], [[Tal-Ħanżira]], [[Tal-Qares]], [[Tal-Wata]], [[Tal-Wej]], [[Tas-Sriedek]], [[Tat-Torba]], [[Taż-Żokrija]], [[Tarġa Gap]], [[Wied Ġjananu]], [[Wied il-Għasel]].</small>
| blank_name_sec2    = [[Religion in Malta#Patron Saints|Patron saint]]
| blank_info_sec2    = [[Assumption of Mary]]
| blank1_name_sec2   = [[Public holidays in Malta#Traditional Feasts|Day of festa]]
| blank1_info_sec2   = 15 August
| website            = [http://www.mostalocalcouncil.com/ Official website]
| footnotes          = 
| government_type    = Mayor and cabinet within a directly-elected council
| governing_body     = [[Mosta Local Council]]
}}

'''Mosta''' ({{langx|mt|Il-Mosta}}) is a small but densely populated city in the [[Northern Region, Malta|Northern Region]] of [[Malta]]. The most prominent building in Mosta is [[Rotunda of Mosta|the Rotunda]], a large [[Basilicas in the Catholic Church|basilica]] built by its parishioners' volunteer labour. It features the world's third largest unsupported dome, and displays a replica of a German bombshell that famously crashed through the dome during [[World War II]] but did not detonate upon impact.

The Mosta parish celebrates the feast of the [[Assumption of Mary]] every 15 August. Mosta's feast day celebration is popular amongst both locals and tourists. The city is annually decorated by local parishioners and townspeople, seeking to demonstrate their affection for the city and its patron saint, weeks ahead of the public procession.

==General==

=== History ===
Mosta has been inhabited since [[prehistory]]. [[Dolmen]]s in the limits of Mosta and cart ruts are primary evidence of this. Each dolmen has two rectangular standing stones and one other similar stone positioned horizontally above the other two.<ref name="morana">{{cite book |last1=Morana |first1=Martin |url=https://sites.google.com/site/kliemustorja/home/titlu/introduzzjoni/dwar-l-awtur/a/b/c/c/d |title=Bejn kliem u storja: glossarju enċiklopediku dwar tradizzjonijiet - toponimi - termini storiċi Maltin |date=September 2011 |publisher=Best Print |isbn=978-99957-0-137-6 |location=[[Malta]] |pages=57–58 |language=mt |oclc=908059040 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005162338/https://sites.google.com/site/kliemustorja/home/titlu/introduzzjoni/dwar-l-awtur/a/b/c/c/d |archive-date=5 October 2016}}</ref>

In the Middle Ages, Mosta was a small hamlet amongst a number of other hamlets, each sparsely populated. These tiny villages were Raħal Calleja, Raħal Ħobla, Raħal Pessa (or Pise / Bise), Raħal Sir, Raħal Kircipulli, Raħal Brabar and Raħal Dimech (or Dimag). In the 16th century, these hamlets decreased in importance and Mosta took its place as the principal village. In 1419, the hamlets of Raħal Calleja, Bise and Dimag collectively had a population of 475, while by the late 15th century Mosta had a population of 482 people.<ref name="galea2004">{{cite journal |last1=Galea |first1=Jeffrey |title=Mosta – a historical, urban and demographic overview |journal=Soċjetà Filarmonika Santa Marija Mosta – Annwal 2004 |date=2004 |pages=97–99, 101–102 |url=https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/65039/1/Mosta%2C%20historical%20urban.pdf |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250813221140/https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/65039/1/Mosta,%20historical%20urban.pdf |archive-date=13 August 2025}}</ref>

In 1526, [[Barbary corsairs|Barbary pirates]] led by Sinen Rais [[Raid on Mosta|raided Mosta]], killed some of its inhabitants and enslaved around 400 people. According to tradition, a bride who was about to get married was among those captured, and this episode came to be known as the tale of the bride of Mosta ({{langx|mt|l-għarusa tal-Mosta}}) in [[Maltese folklore]].<ref name="cassarpullicino1988">{{cite journal |last1=Cassar Pullicino |first1=Giuseppe |title=La leggenda Maltese della sposa della Mosta : due varianti inedite e la "Scibilia Nobili" siciliana |journal=Journal of Maltese Studies |date=1988 |issue=17–18 |pages=164–180 |url=https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/28723/1/La%20leggenda%20maltese%20della%20sposa%20della%20Mosta%20%20due%20varianti%20inedite%20e%20la%20Scibilia%20Nobili%20siciliana%20%20G.%20Cassar%20Pullicino.%20Journal%20of%20Maltese%20Studies.%2017-18.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815041056/https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/28723/1/La%20leggenda%20maltese%20della%20sposa%20della%20Mosta%20%20due%20varianti%20inedite%20e%20la%20Scibilia%20Nobili%20siciliana%20%20G.%20Cassar%20Pullicino.%20Journal%20of%20Maltese%20Studies.%2017-18.pdf |archive-date=15 August 2021 |language=Italian}}</ref> Several versions of the story exist, with the most common being that a bride named Angelica or Marianna Cumbo was abducted from her family's residence, the [[Cumbo Tower]], and was taken to the harem of a [[North Africa]]n sultan or pasha. In most versions, her betrothed, Toni Manduca, managed to obtain her freedom by paying a ransom or by traveling to where she was being held and helping her escape. The bride is said to have died shortly after their return to Malta and her husband died some time later while fighting the Turks.<ref name="camilleri2001">{{cite journal |last1=Camilleri |first1=Anthony |title=Is-Sibi u s-Sibbien fl-istorja tal-Mosta: Storja, Folklor u Letteratura: L-Għarusa tal-Mosta u x-Xebba ta' Wied l-Isperanza |journal=Filarmonika Santa Marija Mosta – Festa ta' l-Assunta Awissu, 2001 |date=2001 |pages=62–64, 66–76 |url=https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/65219/1/Is-Sibi%20u%20s-Sibbien%20f-istorja%20tal-Mosta.pdf |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250814112449/https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/65219/1/Is-Sibi%20u%20s-Sibbien%20f-istorja%20tal-Mosta.pdf |archive-date=14 August 2025 |language=Maltese}}</ref>

The apostolic visit of Mgr [[Pietro Dusina]] in 1575 indicated that even the church dedicated to the Assumption that stood in Mosta was so important in the area that it was erroneously called ‘parochial church’. In 1575, there were 580 persons living in Mosta.<ref name="catacombs"/>

Mosta is, in contemporary times, witnessing the construction of many new houses. New built-up zones with residential houses are found on the outskirts of older Mosta. These new zones are known as: Santa Margerita, Tal-Blata l-Għolja, Iż-Żokrija, Is-Sgħajtar and Ta' Mlit. This means that the population of Mosta is increasing. Mosta has also become a bustling commercial centre. All these developments have made Mosta a big town by local standards and it is today amongst the largest in the Maltese Islands.<ref name="catacombs"/>

=== Transportation ===
As Mosta is at the centre of Malta; buses pass through Mosta on the way to [[Buġibba]], [[Burmarrad]], [[St. Paul's Bay]], [[Qawra]], [[Xemxija]], [[Mġarr]], [[Ċirkewwa]] and [[Mellieħa]].

=== Social Groups ===
Mosta has its own scouts and girl guides, two band clubs (Nicolo' Isouard and Santa Marija), and two fireworks factories (Santa Marija and 15 ta' Awwissu). A lot of traffic passes through Constitution Street, one of Mosta's main streets, connecting the south to the north.

==Places of interest==

=== Sanctuary Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady ===
[[File:Mosta Dome 2009-3.JPG|thumb|Mosta Dome as photographed in 2009]]

{{Main|Rotunda of Mosta}}
The parish church of Mosta is said to have [[List of the world's largest domes|the third largest unsupported dome in the world]]. The church, also commonly known as the Rotunda of Mosta or the Mosta Dome, is dedicated to the [[assumption of Mary]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Borg|first=Victor|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o1QO1Tk-FsMC&q=mosta+dome&pg=PA151|title=Rough Guide to Malta and Gozo|publisher=[[Rough Guides]]|year=2002|isbn=9781858286808|pages=151–2}}</ref> The Feast of the Assumption is held on 15 August and it is a public holiday in Malta.

From its inception as a parish in 1608, Mosta has had three different churches built on the same site,<ref name="catacombs"/> with the current one being designed by [[Giorgio Grognet de Vassé]], a French resident of Mosta. The ''Mostin'' at that time, totalling not more than 1500, built the church.<ref>{{cite news|date=11 March 2012|title=200-year-old History in an old musty archive|work=[[The Malta Independent]]|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2012-03-11/news/200-year-old-history-in-an-old-musty-archive-307055/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304202125/http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2012-03-11/news/200-year-old-history-in-an-old-musty-archive-307055/|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref>

Grognet’s design was based on that of the [[Pantheon, Rome|Pantheon of Rome]]. Due to debates and doubts regarding the design, the first stone was laid on 30 May 1833. The rotunda has a diameter of 55.20 metres on the outside and 39.60 metres on the inside. The main façade faces south and has six columns in the Ionic style. On each side, a steeple rises from the façade. Following the front elevation, the church has an analogous style at the back, but without steeples. The dome was built on the principle of the catenary profile, meaning that each stone was laid over the one underneath it.

The church took 27 years to complete and became a major attraction.<ref>{{cite book|last1=MacGill|first1=Thomas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bJ8NAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA124|title=A hand book, or guide, for strangers visiting Malta|date=1839|publisher=Luigi Tonna|location=[[Malta]]|pages=124–126}}</ref> On 9 April 1942, the church was nearly destroyed during [[World War II]]. An [[Axis powers|Axis]] bomb hit the dome of the church whilst people were inside, but it failed to explode. The detonator was removed and a replica bomb is now displayed as a memorial.<ref>{{cite book|last=Castillo|first=Dennis|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i5ns5LNtoiUC&q=mosta+dome&pg=PA184|title=The Maltese Cross: a strategic history of Malta|publisher=[[Greenwood Publishing Group]]|year=2006|isbn=9780313323294|page=184}}</ref>

=== Lion monument in Rotunda Square ===
[[File:Malta - Mosta - Triq il-Kostituzzjoni-Triq il-Kbira 02 ies.jpg|thumb|Lion monument as photographed in 2014]]

A prominent feature of Rotunda Square is a statue of a lion on a pedestal, which was removed in 2023 and placed in the public garden behind the church. Once, this was part of a fountain which originally was in [[Sliema]]. The fountain has since been removed. The statue is made of bronze-coloured cast iron. It was made in the {{ill|Val d'Osne Foundry|fr|Fonderie d'art du Val d'Osne}} in [[Paris]]. Embossed on the pedestal there are the coat-of-arms of Mosta and those of [[Coat of arms of Malta|independent Malta]].<ref name="catacombs"/>

=== Ta' Bistra Catacombs ===
The Ta' Bistra Catacombs are Malta's largest set of [[Catacombs of Malta|catacombs]] found to date outside [[Rabat, Malta|Rabat]], and are located in Triq il-Missjunarji Maltin in Mosta. The site was first recorded in the late 19th century and the catacombs were first investigated in 1933 by Captain Charles Zammit, before they were partially covered over by a new road leading to [[Burmarrad]]. Further studies were carried out in 2004, 2013 and 2014, and the site has been the subject of three EU-funded projects. It is now managed by [[Heritage Malta]] and is open to the public.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ta' Bistra Catacombs |url=https://heritagemalta.mt/explore/ta-bistra-catacombs/ |website=[[Heritage Malta]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250515150034/https://heritagemalta.mt/explore/ta-bistra-catacombs/ |archive-date=15 May 2025}}</ref>

===Speranza Chapel (Chapel of Our Lady of Hope)===
[[File:Tal-Isperanza Chapel 2.jpg|thumb|Speranza Chapel as photographed in 2024]]

An attraction in Mosta is the [[Church of Our Lady of Hope, Mosta|Speranza Chapel]] in the Speranza Valley. The chapel was built between 1760 and 1761. A legend tied to the Chapel recounts that, during a [[Ottoman Empire|Turkish]] invasion, a young girl and her sisters taking care of their family's sheep were at risk to be taken by the invaders. Whilst the sisters escaped, the young girl could not run fast enough because she limped slightly. It is said that she hid in a cave found under the chapel's left side. Meanwhile, she prayed to [[Mary, mother of Jesus|Mary]], promising that if she were saved, she would build a chapel dedicated to Our Lady. When the Turkish invaders chasing her arrived, they did not look for her in the cave because they thought the girl could not be hiding there as there was an intact [[spider web]] at the entrance, which would have been damaged had she entered the cave.<ref name="camilleri2001"/>

===Marquis Mallia Tabone Farmhouse===
The Marquis Mallia Tabone Farmhouse is a folklore attraction run by the ''Talent Mosti'' philanthropy in collaboration with the adjacent school's council. The farmhouse overlooks the valley of [[Wied il-Għasel]]. It houses exhibitions varying from paintings, photography, artisan work, hobbies and a permanent folklore museum.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.talentmosti.com/home/|title=Paġna Ewlenija|website=www.talentmosti.com|access-date=19 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130630/life-features/Mosta-philanthropic-society-is-30-years-young.476208|title=Mosta philanthropic society is 30 years young|first=Allied Newspapers|last=Ltd|website=timesofmalta.com|date=30 June 2013 |access-date=19 April 2018}}</ref>

=== Wied Filep Dolmens ===
Two dolmens, dating back to the [[Bronze Age]], can be seen in a field between Vjal Ragusa and Dawret il-Wied.

===Cumbo Tower===
{{main|Cumbo Tower}}
[[File:Cumbo_Tower.jpeg|thumb|right|Cumbo Tower as photographed in 2016]]

The [[Cumbo Tower]] is a historic residence in Mosta.<ref name="times2012-04-19">{{cite news |title=Cumbo Tower |url=https://timesofmalta.com/article/Cumbo-Tower.416115 |work=[[Times of Malta]] |date=19 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250817075137/https://timesofmalta.com/article/Cumbo-Tower.416115 |archive-date=17 August 2025}}</ref> In the grounds there is a small Christian family tomb from the Roman era.<ref name="catacombs">{{cite book |editor1-last=Di Stefano |editor1-first=Giovanni |editor2-last=Cassar |editor2-first=George |title=The revaluation of catacombs as a common symbol towards the meaning of traditions across borders |url=https://www.academia.edu/402767/Report_on_the_State_of_Conservation_of_Ta_Bistra_Catacombs}}</ref>

== Other sites of interest ==

=== Tal-Għammariet Hypogeum ===
This is a site that has most likely been destroyed, and has been recorded by [[Manuel Magri|Emmanuel Magri]] as being in the hamlet of Ħal Dimech, now part of Mosta, and not far from the Ta' [[#Ta' Bistra Catacombs|Bistra Catacombs]].<ref name="catacombs"/>

=== Fort Mosta Catacomb ===
Within the grounds of Fort Mosta, there is a small [[Catacombs of Malta|catacomb]].<ref name="catacombs"/> Originally, this was a Punic shaft tomb but it was enlarged into a Roman period catacomb complete with an agape table.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Places of Interest|url=https://localgovernment.gov.mt/en/lc/Mosta/Pages/Locality/Places-of-Interest.aspx|access-date=2021-03-21|website=localgovernment.gov.mt|language=mt}}</ref> This site is within the confines of [[Fort Mosta]] which is used by the [[Armed Forces of Malta]].

=== Wied il-Għasel Catacomb ===
Another small catacomb is found in Wied il-Għasel, consisting of a series of seven tombs dug in the rock in a semi-circular form found in the side of a natural cave beneath Fort Mosta.<ref name="catacombs"/>

=== Alleged Roman Temple site ===
In a 2008 publication, then Mosta Mayor Dr Paul Chetcuti Caruana stated: "As many know, and no one knows, in the neighbourhood of Ta’ Bistra there is at least one Roman temple which has been buried by the speculators."<ref name="catacombs"/>

== Zones in Mosta ==
{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|
* [[Beżbiżija]]
* [[Blata l-Għolja]]
* [[Folju]]
* [[il-Ħanqa]]
* [[Mosta Technopark]]
* [[Mount Saint Joseph (Mosta)|Mount Saint Joseph]]
* [[San Ġużepp tat-Tarġa]]
* [[San Pawl Eremita]]
* [[San Pawl tal-Qlejgħa]]
* [[San Silvestru]]
* [[Santa Margerita]]
* [[Sgħajtar]]
* [[L-Isperanza]]
* [[Ta' Bistra]]
* [[Ta' Maċedonja]]
* [[Ta' Mlit]]
* [[Ta' Redusa]]
* [[Ta' Srajgu]]
* [[Ta' Xkora]]
* [[Tal-Awrora]]
* [[Taċ-Ċawla]]
* [[Tad-Daqqaq]]
* [[Tad-Dib]]
* [[Tal-Ħanżira]]
* [[Tal-Qares]]
* [[Tal-Wata]]
* [[Tal-Wej]]
* [[Tas-Sriedek]]
* [[Tat-Torba]]
* [[Taż-Żokrija]]
* [[Tarġa Gap]]
* [[Wied Ġjananu]]
* [[Wied il-Għasel]]
}}

== Education ==
[[Quality Schools International]] operates QSI Malta, an [[international school]], in Mosta.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://malta.qsi.org/|title=Home|publisher=QSI Malta|access-date=2023-11-24|quote=Triq Durumblat Mosta MST 4815 Malta}}</ref>

== Twin cities ==
Mosta has three [[Twin towns and sister cities|sister cities]]:
* {{flagicon|United States}} [[Millbrae, California]], United States (since April 1996)<ref>[http://www.millbraesistercities.org/mosta.html Millbrae Sister Cities – Mosta] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303202540/http://www.millbraesistercities.org/mosta.html |date=3 March 2016 }} ''millbraesistercities.org''</ref> 
* {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Ragusa, Italy]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Giovani della città di Mosta in visita al Comune |url=http://www.comune.ragusa.gov.it/notizie/archivi/comunicatistampa.html?i=3003 |website=Comune di Ragusa |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210920025638/http://www.comune.ragusa.gov.it/notizie/archivi/comunicatistampa.html?i=3003 |archive-date=20 September 2021 |language=Italian |date=12 September 2005}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|France}} [[Cassagnabère-Tournas]], France

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
* [http://www.mostalocalcouncil.com Mosta Local Council Website]
* [http://www.it-tarka.com Harsien Patrimonju Mosti Website]

{{Malta-LocalCouncils}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Mosta| ]]<!--leave the empty space as standard-->
[[Category:Towns in Malta]]
[[Category:Local councils of Malta]]