Visiting the Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady and other attractions in il-Mosta - Malta

Abstract

The area where the town of il-Mosta is located has been inhabited from a long time ago. This is known from the discovery of several archaeological remains that can still be seen. These include, two dolmens situated at Wied Filep in the Santa Margerita area from the Bronze Age (2400 B.C. – 700 B.C.), Punic tombs at Tal-Wej and other sites (700 B.C. – 218 B.C.), and paleo-Christian burial grounds such as Ta’ Bistra catacombs (from around the 2nd to 3rd century A.D. onwards). In the Middle Ages, il-Mosta was one hamlet amongst several others. Nearby hamlets would gradually become insignificant as by the 16th century these had largely amalgamated with the casale (village) of Musta (later becoming il-Mosta). In his Apostolic Visit to Malta in 1575, Mgr Pietro Dusina, the Pope’s emissary, had incorrectly assumed that the small church dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary that stood in Casal Musta was the parochial church. In that year il-Mosta had 580 inhabitants. This church would eventually become the first church of the parish of il-Mosta when this was erected in 1608.