Mosta is much more than the dome

Mosta is renowned for its famous church and thousands of tourists flock daily to see the Mosta Rotunda. A restoration programme was started 15 years ago to stop further damage and preserve what is left, and thousands of liri were spent on this project.

Eleven years ago, Mosta Gunners AFC, with the help of many collaborators, came up with an original idea, that of transforming a war shelter in the centre of Mosta and holding a unique exhibition.

This dug-out shelter would serve as the venue for "The way of the Cross and the Tomb of Christ" and the main aim of the Mosta Gunners AFC was to raise much- needed funds for this worthy and noble cause.

On April 24, 1999, a cheque of Lm3,000 (roughly €7,000) was presented to the Archpriest Rev. Joe Carabott.

Without doubt this exhibition had a ripple effect later on as other war shelters in various towns and villages were cleaned up and opened for the general public to see.

My legs automatically take me to these places and last Saturday I went to Żabbar's Notte Bianca to see the war shelter at Misraħ is-Sliem which is unique.

Well done to all the local councils and volunteers who give time to rehabilitate these places and make them accessible to one and all. Unfortunately the Mosta war shelter has not been open to the public for a long time and it seems there is no interest at all to reopen it.

The Mosta council is working on a big project, that of restoring the nuclear shelter and surroundings at Tarġa Gap. This area has a wealth of attractions both for the locals and the tourists that visit Mosta. I see no reason why Fort Mosta cannot be given back to the public by relocating the police dog section and the fireworks powder stored there to other appropriate places. Fort Mosta used to be open to the public and it is still shown as a tourist attraction on various guide books!

The heritage trail proposed by the local council is very challenging and it can start from San Pawl Tal-Qliegħa through the valley all the way to Salini and Burmarrad. In this heritage trail we find the Chapel Tal-Isperanza, the chapel dedicated to St Paul the Hermit, the catacombs beneath the fort, the Victoria Lines and farther on Ta' Bistra Catacombs. This whole area is waiting to be rehabilitated for the enjoyment of all and every effort should be made by all government entities and those involved to make it happen. Mosta is not just Mosta church!