Xewkija

Xewkija, the village of the mammoth Rotunda Church , was the first hamlet in Gozo to be raised to the status of a village. It lies on a plain in the central south-east of the island and the village centre is only 2.75 kilometres away from It-Tokk, the centre of the city of Rabat , otherwise known as Victoria . It has been inhabited since early times and is thus full of natural and historic attractions.


View of the Xewkija Church from The Arches Farmhouse

The centre of modern Xewkija is the village square. The square is dominated by the Rotunda of St. John the Baptist on the south side and a large stone cross opposite, dating back to late eighteenth century. These crosses were laid in front of the principal churches to remind passers by that they were on holy ground. People were prompted to say a prayer for the holy souls buried there; shepherds were to keep an eye on their flocks of sheep and goats lest they raze in that area. The village square is in turn the stage where all important events of the village take place.

The places of interest in the village of Xewkija range from prehistoric remains to more recent monuments, from natural beauty spots to man-made wonders. Most places can be reached on foot from the village square. Ta' Blankas ‘dolmen' and megaliths, the cart-ruts at Ta' Blankas and Ta' Lambert, Wied Mgarr ix-Xini for its flora and fauna, Mgarr ix-Xini galley port and Tower are just a few to mention.

There is something going on in Xewkija throughout the whole year.

Some of the most popular are the Carnival which is the first attraction of the year (middle/late February). On Carnival weekend, there is a defile led by a float with King Carnival, with the participation of smaller floats, grotesque masks, children and adults dance companies, and the village band. There are prizes for the most entertaining items. A foreign band is usually invited to take part.

The main event of the year has to be the village feast which is celebrated during the week leading to the third weekend of June. On the Sunday previous to the village feast there is the horses defile. The horses that have been signed up for the races held on the occasion of the feast are paraded in the village square accompanied by the village band. The races take place early in the afternoon the following Saturday along triq l-Imgarr.

During the week of the village feast, there is a celebration every evening within the church, with a full orchestra accompanied by local singers. The village streets are bedecked with all sorts of decorations. The village band presents a programme of classic and light music and it plays along the streets, joined by a choir of enthusiastic teenagers to raise a song of praise to the patron saint. The climax is reached on the Sunday evening when the statue of St. John is carried shoulder-high out of the church. To conclude this fantastic event a colourful aerial fireworks display takes place.

Xewkija dons its very best for Christmas . The Local Council embellishes several streets with twinkling lights and sets up a large crib in the village square and several organizations are sponsored to set up other static and mechanical cribs. Late on Christmas Eve, members of the Museum Society parade along the village street with a statue of Baby Jesus accompanied by the children dressed up in period costumes as well as the village band. In conclusion, a young boy climbs the pulpit and delivers a sermon in honour of Baby Jesus.

Gozo is just bursting with walking opportunities! The winter months have the ideal weather to do this and one can get to see Gozo at  its greenest as you walk through the outskirts of the local villages. The Arches farmhouse has a library of all the walking routes available on the Island of Gozo but there are many unchartered walks which you will be bound to discover. The Arches is in close vicinity to some of the most breathtaking and spectacular areas of the Island.

Visitors flock to the Island of Gozo, purely to enjoy their favourite sport, diving. The Island boasts spectacular diving spots for all diving enthusiasts, namely the popular Azurre Window, the Inland Sea and Mgarr ix-Xini near the village of Xewkija. One can also dive near some wrecks situated in various parts around the Island. There are many scuba diving organizations on the Island . We are aware of all reputable companies on the Island should you wish to be pointed in theright direction. Just let us know your requests.