The Church of Saint John the Baptist, commonly known as the Rotunda of Xewkija or Xewkija Rotunda, is a Roman Catholic church in Xewkija, Gozo, Malta.
On 27 November 1678, Bishop Miguel Jerónimo de Molina raised Xewkija from a hamlet to the status of a village, and as the first parish of Gozo outside the town.
The interior
The parishioners, traditionally renowned for their craftsmanship and their building abilities in Maltese Limestone, expressed their wish to construct a bigger church. Built in the 20th century on the site of a previous church, the church was designed by the Maltese architect Ġużè Damato. Its dome internal diameter is 27 metres (89ft). The dome is 75 metres (246ft) high. Its calculated weight is 45,000 tons. The circumference is 85 metres (279ft). The dome, supported by eight large concrete pilasters covered in stone, is the world's third-highest unsupported dome.[1][2] The interior is decorated with fine sculpture and modern paintings. The floor is of polished Carrara marble. The Rotunda is the largest church in Gozo and one of Gozo's distinctive landmarks.
Damato's plans were based on the Church of Santa Maria della Salute in Venice, but on a larger scale. The foundation stone of the Rotunda was laid on 4 May 1952. The old church, which was rebuilt at least twice, was left in place as the Rotunda was being built around it, allowing for continued liturgical use. The church was officially consecrated on 17 June 1978.
Sculpture and a paintings at the church museum
The old church was then carefully dismantled, and the best sculptures saved and placed in an adjacent building under the belfry, now known as the Sculpture Museum. It features the best "lacework" in Maltese stone, as well as some important items from the old church, including the main altar with the old titular painting. Within the Museum, an elevator gives access to the dome, which provides panoramic views of Gozo and the northern part of neighbouring Malta.
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