| |
Xewkija, took it name
from the thistles which used to grow there. This village is famous
for the rotunda, the village parish church. It is the most
conspicuous landmark in Gozo. This dome is one of the biggest in
the world. The church was built between 1951 and 1971, during
which time services were held in the baroque church. The exterior
of the church has been compared to the Salute in Venice.
|
| |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
| |
Just before entering to the village centre, there is a unique
windmill. Instead of a square building, it is eight an sided
edifice corresponding to the eight sided points of the compass and
the eight dominant winds.
|
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
The
parish church is dedicated to Saint John The Baptist. Completed in
1981 and paid for by the 3,500 villagers, it boasts the third
largest unsupported dome in the world, coming after Saint Peter’s
in Rome. The dome is 74 meters high, with a diameter of 27 meters
and a circumference of 85 meters. Its total weight is calculated
to be around 45,000 tones of particular interest is the chapel of
‘Our Lady of Mercy’ around which is tied to a legend about the
thief who wanted to steal a golden chalice, but ended up joining a
hermit to repay his sins.
Wied Hanzira, literally
‘the valley of the sow’, is one of the deepest valleys on the
island and a veritable haven for the lover of wild plants. |
|
|
|
Motto:
Nemo
me impure lacessit
(whoever dares to challenge me will not remain without
consequence)
|
| |
|
Population:
approx.3331
|
| |
|
Places on interest:
•
Rotunda
Village parish church
•
The old
village church
•
The valleys
in the village
|
| |
|
Distance:
2 3/4 km from the
capital city
Victoria
and approx.
5 minutes by car.
|
| |
|
Busses:
from Victoria
42, 43
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
