Rotunda of Mosta, Malta
The Rotunda of Mosta or Mosta Dome is a Roman Catholic Church located in the city of Mosta, Malta. The Rotunda which is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was built between 1833 and 1860 over and around a church from 1614.The Classical style design for the massive church which can receive about 12,000 people was made by Maltese architect Girogio Grongnet. Grongnet's design resembles the Pantheon in Rome, while church's massive dome with a diameter of 37 meters (122 feet) is one of the largest on the world.
Rotunda was hit by a German 200 kg bomb during World War II in 1942. The bomb pierced the dome and fell among the congregation of 300 people awaiting early evening mass. Fortunately the bomb did not explode and nobody was hurt. The event became legendary and a replica of the German bomb is displayed in sacristy in commemoration.
