The Church of St John the Baptist, more commonly known as ‘ Rotunda of Xewkija ’, is the largest church on the island of Gozo and one of the largest in the whole of Malta.

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It is situated in a small town with low-rise houses, which makes its size stand out even more. The rotunda dates back to the 2nd century and was completed in 1978 on the site of the original 17th-century church, the remains of which are preserved in a small museum adjacent to the rotunda.

The height and dimensions of the church

The rotunda’s main feature is its enormous dome, 27 metres in diameter, supported by eight massive columns.

The dome rises to a height of 75 metres, making it the tallest church in Malta and the third-tallest building in the country overall.

The bell tower offers panoramic views across the whole of the island of Gozo, and you can take the lift to the top.

Admission and opening hours

Opening hours for tourists are as follows:

• Monday to Saturday – 9.30 am to 5.00 pm
• Sunday – 12.00 to 16.00

Entry to the church itself is free. Entry to the 75-metre-high dome costs 3 eur.

How to get there

The rotunda stands right in the centre of the village of Xewkija. Parking is free throughout the village on all streets and in the square directly in front of the church. However, it can take several minutes to find a free space.

Bus route 323, which runs once an hour between Victoria and Mgarr (the ferry terminal to Malta), stops right in front of the church.

The best views of the rotunda

The church is a natural landmark of the entire eastern part of the island of Gozo and is therefore visible from many places.

To enjoy the best views of the Xewkija Rotunda, set off by car.

• The viewpoint from the cemetery in Xaghra (location on Google.com/maps)
• The viewpoint from ‘Triq ta Skerla’ street in Ta’Sannat (location on Google.com/maps)

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