Rotunda of Xewkija — Xewkija (Gozo)

What is the Rotunda of Xewkija?

The Rotunda of Xewkija is a vast domed parish church dedicated to St John the Baptist. Its great rotunda and dome make it a landmark visible from much of Gozo, and the dome is frequently cited among the largest of its kind in the region.

Where is the Rotunda of Xewkija?

The church stands in the centre of Xewkija, one of the oldest villages on Gozo, on the main route between the ferry terminal at Mġarr and the capital, Victoria.

History of the Rotunda of Xewkija

Xewkija's parishioners set out in the mid-20th century to build a church worthy of their growing village. Work on the rotunda ran from around 1951 into the 1970s, with much of the labour and funding provided by the community itself. The new church was raised around the earlier Baroque parish church, which continued in use until the new building was ready; parts of the old church were preserved. The result is a monumental domed structure that seats a large congregation.

What to see at the Rotunda of Xewkija

• The enormous dome and the spacious circular interior beneath it.
• Sculpture and stonework created by Gozitan craftsmen.
• Preserved fragments and furnishings from the older church.
• Views from the dome gallery, where accessible.

Significance

The rotunda is a monument to community effort, built largely by the villagers of Xewkija over two decades. It is one of the defining features of the Gozitan skyline and a source of local pride.

Visiting the Rotunda of Xewkija

The church is open to visitors as an active place of worship; modest dress is expected and services should be respected. Check current opening hours before visiting.