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XEWKIJA
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Xewkija, which lies in the middle between Mgarr Harbour and Victoria, is the oldest village in Gozo. It became the first parish outside Victoria on the 27th November 1678 by Bishop Molina and became the first district 'contrada' to be known as 'casale' or village. The liturgical village feast of St. John the Baptist falls on 24th June, and the external festivities are celebrated on the closest Sunday. The word Xewkija is derived from Arabic meaning an area of thorny wastelands, common at some point in time.
A remnant of Arab culture in the whereabouts of Xewkija is the renowned marble slab of Majmuna (pron. Maimoona) with an inscription in Arabic dating back to 1173. It throws valuable light on life during Arab cultural domination. It also proves that Malta was by that time still under strong Arab influence, even though Arab political domination was ended with the arrival of Count Roger the Norman in 1090. The slab is the tombstone of an Arab girl named Majmuna, who died and was buried in the area between Xewkija and Sannat. The inscription is carved on a thick marble slab. On the underside there is a pagan symbol, that probably implies that the slab was taken from some pagan temple. The girl had died on Thursday, 21st March 1173. Today the Majmuna Stone is one of the most highly cherished historical treasures in our islands and could be found in the Museum of Archaeology in Victoria.
 The awesome Rotunda, naturally dedicated to St. John the Baptist, is Xewkija's distinctive landmark and parish church. Tourists and visitors flock year round to visit the church and its attractions. It offers an unforgettable panoramic view of Gozo from its enormous dome. The monumental church is an enormous circular structure in white local limestone. It is called a Rotunda because of its form. Eight concrete columns covered with stone support its elegant dome, 75 metres high, with a 28-metre diameter, and a circumference of 85 metres.This boasts the third largest unsupported dome in the world. Its weight is calculated to around 45,000 tonnes. The interior is richly decorated with fine sculptures and modern paintings. The floor is in polished Carrara marble and the main altar is also carved in precious marble. The Rotunda of Xewkija is a superb architectural masterpiece that reveals the exquisite texture and the versatility of local limestone. The church was built in replacement of an older church, parts of which were faithfully reconstructed using the original church stones. The valuable stonework of the old church could be still enjoyed by visitors on the rear side of the Rotunda. The Xewkija church, which is the largest in Gozo is the Seat of the Knights of the Order of St. John and was built from Maltese stone by local masons and craftsmen.
Xewkija has a heritage of worthy craftsmen and busy workers. The village produces the best Gozitan stone masons who are also the finest decorators of Maltese stone. The parish church, and even more, the salvaged old church are a sublime support to this argument. The Xewkija folk are traditionally also able fishermen, most of whom still pursue the art of making traditional cane fish traps of all sizes during their free time. The Xewkija fishermen have kept alive this precious fish trap tradition over Gozo.
When one enters the village from Mgarr Road one sees the remaining structure of a windmill erected in the times of Grand Master Perellos. This is a unique mill in Gozo because it has points, which show the eight principal wind directions.
On the site where the present church is, it was said that there was a stone known as 'Maqghad ix-Xih' (seat of the senior citizen). It was probably the seat of the village respectable magistrate or "Xih" (old man) from where he probably chaired over common folk litigation and distributed court sentences based on natural justice by spitting on the ground on each decision. Not so far away, there is a small ancient chapel known as Madonna tal-Hniena (Our Lady of Charity) which is dedicated to San Bartholomew. The tower of Santa Cecilja lies in the limits of Xewkija, while remains of Tinghi Tower disappeared in the last century. These towers date back to 1613. Another 14th century tower, which was used by the Grandmasters as a summer residence, was the Tower of Gorgion, also in Xewkija. It was unfortunately demolished to make way for a temporary airstrip during the Second World War, but some nostalgic photos and paintings of this tower still remain.
 Besides, beautiful landscapes, an unspoilt and spectacular Mgarr Ix-Xini Valley and an access to the peaceful Bay of Mgarr ix-Xini are also Xewkija's string of pearls. This makes the village of Xewkija an ideal place for trekking and abseiling in winter and spring, while the mini-fjord of Mgarr ix-Xini is a fine place to bathe and dive.
On the perimeter of the village one finds nearly what's most important to Gozo, namely the Gozo Heliport, the University of Malta (Gozo Section), the Gozo Football Stadium and also the island's Industrial Estate that houses Gozo's small and medium-sized enterprises.
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USEFUL INFORMATION
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How to go:From Victoria Terminus, Bus no. 42, 43
Interesting Features:
1. The Rotunda Parish Church dedicated to St. John the Baptist
2. Access to Mgarr ix-Xini Bay including a walk to Mgarr ix-Xini Watchtower
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