Xewkija Rotunda

A dome visible across all Gozo

The Rotunda of St John the Baptist in Xewkija is the dominant feature of Gozo's skyline. Its massive dome, 27 metres in diameter and reaching a total height of approximately 75 metres, is the third-largest unsupported dome in the world, after St Peter's Basilica in Rome and the Pantheon. It is visible from almost every point on the island and even from the ferry entering Mgarr.

26 years of construction

Construction began in 1952 and was only completed in 1978. The work was largely financed and carried out by the residents of Xewkija themselves. The old 17th-century church was demolished in stages, with its materials reused in the new building. The Rotunda's basement houses a museum displaying fragments of the old church, including a beautiful Baroque altar shelf.

Interior and architecture

The Rotunda's interior is bright and spacious, with marble floors, mosaics, and a monumental altar. The dome is even more impressive from inside than from outside. The architecture is eclectic, blending Neoclassical and Neo-Baroque elements.

Practical tip: Entry to the church is free. The underground museum (EUR 2) is worth visiting. If you have only 30 minutes in Xewkija, go inside and look up at the dome — the sense of scale is staggering.