Basilica of St. John the Baptist

The Basilica of St. John the Baptist is located in the center of Xewkija and is one of the most impressive religious buildings in Gozo. It is commonly referred to simply as the Rotunda of Xewkija. Its monumental dome, which is visible across the Gozo landscape, is particularly striking.

The current church was built in the 20th century from Maltese limestone and is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. During construction, the older parish church was initially integrated into the new building, allowing services to continue. Parts of the historic church were preserved and can still be seen today.

Inside, the Rotunda impresses with its enormous size, high dome, and intricately designed stonework. A special experience is the ascent or ride to the dome's viewing platform, if accessible. From there, you have a wide panoramic view over Xewkija and large parts of Gozo.

Due to its central location, the basilica can be easily incorporated into a tour of Gozo. Even if you usually do not visit churches, a short stop is worthwhile just for the extraordinary architecture and the view from the Rotunda.