Mosta Local Customs

Devotional Life size statues, showing scenes from the Passion of Christ, are carried through Mosta streets. Of remarkable artistic value, is the statue called – Il-Monument. A baroque hearse bearing the Dead Christ, with its intricate gilded wood sculptures. This is a unique work of art, which can only be admired in the Holy Week.

Known as Rotunda of St Marija Assunta, dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady, the parish church of Mosta is in the center of all the public celebrations on August 15.

As in all other towns and villages of the Maltese islands the locals meet in front of Rotunda showing their joy and celebrating.

These symbols are also presented on Mosta's coat of arms: the red cross symbolizing the Catholic faith, the circle representing the Rotunda and the blue star is the symbol of the Madonna, patron saint of the town.

If you're visiting Mosta on a Monday, you can take a look at the Market. If you don't need clothes, plants, toys, pets or anything immaginable in a market, make sure you taste the local 'Qaghaq tal Hmira' or 'Imqaret' . The hawker selling 'qaghaq' will be selling near the 'Genesis Stationary' black marbled corner shop, and if you want to try the imqaret let your nose follow the smell of dates and pastry frying. I'll post pics later on.

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The Feast of the Assumption is held on August 15 and it is a public holiday. The church is also known as the Rotunda of St Marija Assunta. There's several cities/villages around Malta that has got Santa Maria as the patron Saint but the one in Mosta is the most popular. Celebrations are held from a week earlier and are surely not to be missed. Fireworks, band marches, beer, sweat......... you name it ! Please click on photo to see more pics about this tip.