City Highlights Tour of Mosta with Buffet Lunch

You will start your tour by visiting the Sanctuary Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady, often called the Mosta Dome or the Rotunda of Mosta, a Roman Catholic parish church and minor basilica situated in the center of the hamlet. The current church, which was built between 1833 and 1860 to neoclassical designs and is modeled after the Pantheon in Rome, is Malta's largest church and is renowned for having the third-largest unsupported dome in the world!

During your visit, you will receive printed material and a mobile phone app that may be downloaded before your visit, both of which are available in five different languages (English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish) and will serve to enhance your entire experience. A 7-minute video available in 13 different languages about Mosta, the church, and unique events held at the parish is also included in the app.

During your visit to the Rotunda of Mosta, you will also be able to explore an underground World War II air-raid shelter. The shelter that skirts the Mosta church parvis was dug by hand in 1940 by 15 highly skilled workers and was used by the locals to protect themselves during the many and continuous air raids suffered during the Second World War. After being closed for many years, this shelter has now been re-opened to the public to give locals and tourists alike the opportunity to relive the hardships that the Maltese people had to endure during the relentless bombing of the islands throughout World War II. The complex also boasts an exhibition of tools and implements related to old trades and a photo exhibition about Malta during World War II.

Assisted by one of our team members, you will stroll through Mosta's historic streets, admiring the architecture, splendour, and beauty of this charming village while also visiting some places of interest with exclusive access available only during this tour.

During your walk, we will provide you with a booklet in different languages explaining the significance of each point of interest, and through the mobile phone app, you can also listen to the information in several languages.

You will visit the Markiz Mallia Tabone Farmhouse, a Mosta farm that was converted into a cultural hub housing a variety of permanent exhibits about the Maltese heritage, folklore, and contemporary arts, as well as various other seasonal or temporary exhibitions that are displayed throughout the year, such as the annual cribs exhibition during the Christmas season, the lent and Easter exhibitions, and many others.

You will also visit the Speranza Chapel, a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Hope, located in the beautiful “Wied il-Għasel” (also known as Mosta Valley). This gorgeous chapel was completed in the year 1761. Legend has it that a young girl who was running to escape from two corsairs took refuge in a cave and prayed to Our Lady to save her. A spider quickly weaved its web over the opening of the cave, hiding the girl from the invaders. When the men arrived, they did not look inside the cave, as they thought the web was intact and undisturbed. The chapel was erected above this cave, and many, to this date, believe that the chapel is a place of miraculous worship. During your visit, you will also have the opportunity to visit the cave described in the legend.

Enjoy a delightful buffet meal at the DOME Visitors Centre, where you will sample various Maltese specialties in a relaxed and welcoming setting.