Rotunda of Xewkija: Difference between revisions
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| name= Rotunda of St John the Baptist<br /><small>{{lang|mt|Knisja Arċipretali San Gwann Battista}} {{in lang|mt}}</small> |
| name= Rotunda of St John the Baptist<br /><small>{{lang|mt|Knisja Arċipretali San Gwann Battista}} {{in lang|mt}}</small> |
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| image=Parish Church of St. John the Baptist.png |
| image=Parish Church of St. John the Baptist.png |
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| caption=Aerial view of the Rotunda of Xewkija |
| caption=Aerial view of the Rotunda of Xewkija |
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| location= [[Xewkija]], [[Malta]] |
| location= [[Xewkija]], [[Gozo]], [[Malta]] |
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| geo = {{Coord|36|01|59.00|N|14|15|30.00|E|region:MT_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} |
| geo = {{Coord|36|01|59.00|N|14|15|30.00|E|region:MT_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} |
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| religious_affiliation=[[Roman Catholic]] |
| religious_affiliation=[[Roman Catholic]] |
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| leadership= |
| leadership= |
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| website=http://www.xewkijaparish.org |
| website=http://www.xewkijaparish.org |
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| architect= [[ |
| architect= [[Ġużè Damato]] |
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| architecture_type= [[Church (building)|Church]] |
| architecture_type= [[Church (building)|Church]] |
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| architecture_style= [[Baroque]] |
| architecture_style= [[Baroque]] |
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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. [[File:XewkijaRotunda.jpg|175px|thumbnail|left|The interior]] |
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. [[File:XewkijaRotunda.jpg|175px|thumbnail|left|The interior]] |
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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 people|Maltese]] |
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 people|Maltese]] architect [[Ġużè Damato]]. Its dome internal diameter is {{convert|27|m|ft}}. The dome is {{convert|75|m|ft}} high. Its calculated weight is 45,000 tons. The circumference is {{convert|85|m|ft}}. The dome is supported by 8 large concrete columns covered with stone. The dome is the world's third highest unsupported dome.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150325/local/mgarr-ix-xini-among-cnns-10-places-to-visit-before-they-change-for-ever.561352|title=Mgarr ix-Xini among CNN's 10 places to visit before they change for ever|first=Allied Newspapers|last=Ltd|publisher=|accessdate=7 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/travel/article/places-to-see-now/index.html|title=10 places to see before they change forever|first=Tamara |last=Hinson|date=23 March 2015|website=CNN Travel|accessdate=7 July 2017}}</ref> 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. |
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The plans of Damato were based on the [[Santa Maria della Salute]] church of Venezia, 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 while the Rotunda was being built around it, allowing the local people to have a place of worship. The church was officially consecrated on 17 June 1978. |
The plans of Damato were based on the [[Santa Maria della Salute]] church of Venezia, 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 while the Rotunda was being built around it, allowing the local people to have a place of worship. The church was officially consecrated on 17 June 1978. |
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<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gozodiocese.org/churches/parishes/xewkija/|title=Xewkija at Gozo Diocese|website=gozodiocese.org|accessdate=7 July 2017}}</ref> |
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gozodiocese.org/churches/parishes/xewkija/|title=Xewkija at Gozo Diocese|website=gozodiocese.org|accessdate=7 July 2017}}</ref> |
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The Rotunda is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. The parish celebrates the main feast on the liturgical feast of the nativity of Saint John the Baptist which fall on 24 June, and the external festivities are celebrated on the closest Sunday. A secondary feast is also celebrated on the liturgical feast of the beheading of Saint John the Baptist. |
The Rotunda is dedicated to [[Saint John the Baptist]]. The parish celebrates the main feast on the liturgical feast of the nativity of Saint John the Baptist which fall on 24 June, and the external festivities are celebrated on the closest Sunday. A secondary feast is also celebrated on the liturgical feast of the beheading of Saint John the Baptist. |
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[[File:St John the Baptist Titular Statue of Xewkija Gozo, Malta.jpg|thumb|left|Titular statue of St. John Baptist kept in Xewkija Church, sculpted in wood by [[Pietro Paolo Azzopardi]] in 1845, [[Xewkija]].]] |
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The Rotunda is also the Spiritual Seat for the [[Sovereign Military Order of Malta]] known also as the [[Knights of Malta]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xewkijaparish.org/|title=XewkijaParish.org - Home|website=www.xewkijaparish.org|accessdate=7 July 2017}}</ref> |
The Rotunda is also the Spiritual Seat for the [[Sovereign Military Order of Malta]] known also as the [[Knights of Malta]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xewkijaparish.org/|title=XewkijaParish.org - Home|website=www.xewkijaparish.org|accessdate=7 July 2017}}</ref> |
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<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maltesering.com/churches_of_malta_xewkija_rotunda_church.asp|title=Maltesering Idéias - usando a internet a nosso favor para criar idéias|website=Maltesering Idéias|accessdate=7 July 2017}}</ref> |
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maltesering.com/churches_of_malta_xewkija_rotunda_church.asp|title=Maltesering Idéias - usando a internet a nosso favor para criar idéias|website=Maltesering Idéias|accessdate=7 July 2017}}</ref> |
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The church building is listed on the [[National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Parish Church of St. John the Baptist|url=http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Chapels%20and%20Niches/01045.pdf|website=National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands|accessdate=31 October 2015|date=27 August 2012}}</ref> |
The church building is listed on the [[National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Parish Church of St. John the Baptist|url=http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Chapels%20and%20Niches/01045.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307133838/http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Chapels%20and%20Niches/01045.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 7, 2016|website=National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands|accessdate=31 October 2015|date=27 August 2012}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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{{Parish churches in Malta and Gozo}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Xewkija Rotunda}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Xewkija Rotunda}} |
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[[Category:Votive offering]] |
[[Category:Votive offering]] |
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[[Category:Baroque church buildings in Malta]] |
[[Category:Baroque church buildings in Malta]] |
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[[Category:20th-century |
[[Category:20th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in Malta]] |
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[[Category:Roman Catholic churches in Malta]] |
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[[Category:Church buildings with domes]] |
[[Category:Church buildings with domes]] |
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[[Category:Rotundas (architecture)]] |
[[Category:Rotundas (architecture)]] |
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Latest revision as of 21:35, 24 April 2024
| Rotunda of St John the Baptist Knisja Arċipretali San Gwann Battista (in Maltese) | |
|---|---|
 Aerial view of the Rotunda of Xewkija | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Province | Gozo |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Parish |
| Year consecrated | 1978 |
| Location | |
| Location | Xewkija, Gozo, Malta |
| Geographic coordinates | 36°01′59.00″N 14°15′30.00″E / 36.0330556°N 14.2583333°E |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Ġużè Damato |
| Type | Church |
| Style | Baroque |
| Groundbreaking | 1952 |
| Completed | 1978 |
| Specifications | |
| Direction of façade | N |
| Materials | Maltese Limestone |
| Website | |
| http://www.xewkijaparish.org | |
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.
History[edit]
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 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 (89 ft). The dome is 75 metres (246 ft) high. Its calculated weight is 45,000 tons. The circumference is 85 metres (279 ft). The dome is supported by 8 large concrete columns covered with stone. The dome 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.
The plans of Damato were based on the Santa Maria della Salute church of Venezia, 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 while the Rotunda was being built around it, allowing the local people to have a place of worship. The church was officially consecrated on 17 June 1978.
The old church was then carefully dismantled and the best sculptures were saved and rebuilt in an adjacent building under the church belfry. It is now known as the Sculpture Museum. This museum accessible within the church, features the best "lacework" in Maltese stone as well as some important items of the old church, including the main altar with the old titular painting. Within the same museum, one can take an elevator to the dome, where one can go around the dome and enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Gozo and the Northern part of Malta. [3]
The Rotunda is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. The parish celebrates the main feast on the liturgical feast of the nativity of Saint John the Baptist which fall on 24 June, and the external festivities are celebrated on the closest Sunday. A secondary feast is also celebrated on the liturgical feast of the beheading of Saint John the Baptist.
The Rotunda is also the Spiritual Seat for the Sovereign Military Order of Malta known also as the Knights of Malta.[4] [5]
The church building is listed on the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands.[6]
References[edit]
- ^ Ltd, Allied Newspapers. "Mgarr ix-Xini among CNN's 10 places to visit before they change for ever". Retrieved 7 July 2017.
- ^ Hinson, Tamara (23 March 2015). "10 places to see before they change forever". CNN Travel. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
- ^ "Xewkija at Gozo Diocese". gozodiocese.org. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
- ^ "XewkijaParish.org - Home". www.xewkijaparish.org. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
- ^ "Maltesering Idéias - usando a internet a nosso favor para criar idéias". Maltesering Idéias. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
- ^ "Parish Church of St. John the Baptist" (PDF). National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands. 27 August 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 7, 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2015.