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Xewkija, which is situated between Ghajnsielem
and the capital town, Victoria, is the oldest village in Gozo. It became the
first parish outside Victoria on the 27th November 1678. It was separated
from the Matrix by Bishop Glormu Molina and Dun Grezz Farrugia from
Valletta, became its first parish priest. It became the first district 'contrada'
to be known as 'casale' or village.
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St John
Procession |
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The
Rotunda Church |
The word Xewkija is derived from Arabic and shows that there had been
vast fields full of thorns in the past. Xewkija is famous/very well known
for its majestic church, The Rotunda, which is dedicated to St. John The
Baptist. It replaced an older church. This church is the Seat of the Knights
of the Order of St. John. It was built from Maltese stone by local masons
and craftsmen. It is the largest in Gozo and its dome dominates the village.
Its architect was Joseph D'Amato.
On the suburbs of the village there are the University of Malta (Gozo
Section) and the offices of the Employment & Training Corporation. There are
also the Gozo Stadium, the Government Farm, St. Mary's Cemetery and Xewkija
Cemetery. There is also an Industrial Estate which employs hundreds of
Gozitan worker.
The rising population in Xewkija needed more building sites for houses and
housing Estates have been developed at Tal-Barmil, Ta' Gokk and Tal-Hamrija.
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Mill with
eight points |
When one enters the village from the main road
one sees the remains of a mill erected in the times of Grand Master Perellos.
This is unique mill in Gozo because it has points which show the eight
principal wind directions.
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Sundial |
On the site where the present church is, it was said that there was a
stone known as 'Maqghad ix-Xih'. Near it there is a small ancient chapel
known as Madonna tal-Hniena (Our Lady of Charity) which was dedicated to San
Bartilimew. The tower of Santa Cecilja had been in the limits of Xewkija.
There is another tower with the oldest sundial in Xewkija. 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 demolished
(brought down ) to make way for a temporary airport during the Second World
War.
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Tower
of Gorgion
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Cart ruts |
At Misrah Imbert one can see the cart ruts
coming from Borg Gharib, Mgarr ix-Xini, Ta' Cenc and Tas-Salvatur.
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Marble
Slab of Majmuna |
Xewkija during Arab times is an interesting study case. A marble slab
of Majmuna with an Arabic inscription dating back to 1173 was found in
Xewkija. It commemorates the death of an Arabic girl named Majmuna, who died
in Xewkija. The inscription is carved in a thick marble slab, on the
underside there is a pagan symbol. It was probably taken from some pagan
temple. Brother Gabrijel D'Alappo translated it into Italian and it was
later translated into Maltese. It was sent to the Public Library in Malta in
1845 and brought to the Gozo National Museum in 1960. Today the Majmuna
Stone is one of the most highly cherished historical treasures in our
islands.
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Coat of
Arms of Xewkija |
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Banda
Prekursur coat of arms |
The Banda Prekursur (Precursor Band) is the oldest organization in
Xewkija. It was set up on 13th May 1929. Lorenzo Zammit Haber, Marcell
Mercieca, Guiseppe Buttigieg, Giovanni Haber and Tomaso Attard were among
its founders. The first meeting was held at 8.40p.m and the band was
christened (given its name). Mr. Lorenzo Zammit Haber was both President and
Secretary.
The coat of arms of Xewkija is a shield on a
gold background with a red horizontal strip between two thorns, one above
and one below.
The population of Xewkija is about 3,550 and
it's area is of 4km sq.
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