Xewkija

About Xewkija

Xewkija is the 4th Largest town on the island of Gozo with a Population of 3,300 as of March 2014, behind Victoria, Xaghra and Nadur.

Xewkija is the second town you meet when arriving to Gozo after Ghajnsielem and before Victoria. Xewkija is considered the oldest town in Gozo and on 27th November 1678 Xewkija became the first parish outside on Victoria .

 The Name of the town is derived from the Maltese word "Xewk" which means " thorns".  Xewkja is famous for the Rotunda Church of St. John the Baptist. The church was built out of Maltese stone by local craftsmen and masons. The church is the largest on the island of Gozo and the dome dominates the village and is also clearly visible from the ferry when crossing from Malta. It was designed by Architect Guze Damato and it replaced an old church which part of its sculpture was later incorporated into the back of the new church known as "the Museum of Sculpture " to the locals.

The Titular Statue of Saint John the Baptist which resides in the church itself was sculpted in wood by Pietro Palo Azzopardi in 1845. In 2020 restorations were made to the statue and it was restored to its former glory.