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XEWKIJA
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Xewkija
Xewkija (or Ix-Xewkija) is a village on Gozo Island, Malta. A helicopter service once ran between Malta International Airport and Xewkija.
The population of Xewkija is 3,115 (Nov 2005), that is the fourth largest in Gozo, after Rabat (6,414), Nadur (4,181) and Xagħra (3,960).
Places Of Interest and Information about XEWKIJA
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.
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.
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.
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.
At Misrah Imbert one can see the cart ruts, coming from Borg Gharib, Mgarr ix-Xini, Ta' Cenc and Tas-Salvatur.
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...
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Hotels in Xewkija
 | Suncrest Hotel  |
Score 0 from 0 reviews | | Qawra Coast Road |  |
| The hotel features an array of facilities to ensure your comfort and relaxation during your stay, including a large swimming pool and 2 small children’s pools, one with a fantastic fun slide. These are complimented by 2 gazebos sun beds, sunshades and towels.
An activities centre with: billiards; table tennis; video games; surfing; sailing; water ski; jet Ski; and a professional diving school for beginners as well as experienced divers (PADI Divemaster) is available (additional cost).
The nearby leisure and fitness centre, located only 150 metres away from the hotel includes: free use of an indoor pool (heated during winter months); gym; jacuzzi; and Squash Court. Enjoy a sauna & massage available at an extra charge.
The hotel also has: a gift shop; internet corner (many areas with Wi-Fi); medical service; car, motorbike and bicycle rentals; and various sightseeing programs.
A daily animation program and live music entertainment in the evening are coordinated by the in-house animation team. The Reflections Nightclub, open during the weekends, is the ideal place to enjoy the evening for those young at heart. Seasonal Live Music entertainment program is available on request. The ‘Fido Dido’ Kids Club is also available for children. ... more | | |
 | The Riviera Resort & Spa |
Score 6.775 from 17 reviews | | Marfa Bay | |
| The Riviera Resort & Spa is situated in one of the most picturesque and charming areas in the north of Malta, just across the channel from the sister Islands of Gozo and Comino. The Resort enjoys a quiet and relaxing location, immersed in pristine countryside and boasting unspoilt shoreline and sea. The lack of traffic makes it particularly suitable for those seeking fresh sea and country air as well as a safe and clean environment.
Mellieha Bay, the Island's largest sandy beach is just a couple of minutes away by car or by bus. A regular public bus service connects the Resort to all major towns on the Island including the historic capital Valletta, the nightspots of St. Julian's and Sliema. Regular boat trips and excursions to Gozo and the Blue Lagoon depart from the old pier, which is situated across the road in front of the Resort.
The Riviera Resort & Spa is also an excellent venue for business, with an area of over 860m2 of meeting space; the Resort offers a combination of several different meeting set-ups, the largest multipurpose room having a capacity of over 300. The combination of location and extensive facilities makes it an ideal place for local and foreign seminars, corporate training programs and incentive overnight events.
For relaxtion and pampering, the Elysium Spa, covering over 1,500m2 for promoting wellness has a variety of individual treatments, professional programs and treatments, which are designed to revitalize and rejuvenate. This is a full-service Thallasso Spa, offering special three and five day packages. Other sport and leisure facilities include a diving school with its own indoor training pool with an area of over 200m2, squash court. Two swimming pools and a children’s pool compliment a tranquil pool deck with a pool bar overlooking the picturesque quayside bay.
The surrounding crystal clear waters are a diver’s paradise and constitute the Maltese Islands’ best diving spots. The Diving Centre is a PADI 5 Star IDC Centre and it incorporates a well-stocked shop, classrooms and indoor training pool operated by H20. The centre offers courses from beginner to instructor level. Experienced divers are spoilt for choice and can enjoy extensive diving packages, including cave, wreck, night and deep dives. During the summer months the water sports centre provides windsurfing, water skiing, sailing and other activities.
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 | Grand Hotel Excelsior  |
Score 8.625 from 53 reviews | | Great Siege Road | |
| The Grand Hotel Excelsior offers 4 restaurants and 4 bars, featuring a diversified selection of worldwide flavours, Landscaped gardens, Fitness & Leisure facilities and 10 state-of-the-art meeting rooms including a Grand Ballroom and an Exhibition Hall.
We are pleased to advise that the hotel is now in a soft opening phase. Works are still ongoing during the daytime and are projected to be finalised by the end of June 2008. In the meantime, the following outlets and facilities are in operation :
The Admiral’s Landing Restaurant, The Harbour View Bar – 24 hours, The Chartroom Bar, 6 Syndicate Rooms, The Grand Ballroom, Fountain Restaurant, The Main Pool, The Indoor Pool, Jacuzzi, some treatment rooms and The Gymnasium. This list will be updated as further facilities and outlets are opened. ... more | | |
 | Alexandra Hotel  |
Score 6.125 from 62 reviews | | Schreiber | |
| Entertainment is on offer and there is live music once a week. A big screen is available in the Lounge bar.
Other Services available in the hotel are car hire, Room Service on request, doctor on call.
There is a games room, open 24 hours a day, equipped with video games, pool table and table football. ... more | | |
 | Relax Inn Hotel |
Score 8 from 1 reviews | | Halel Street | |
| A comfortable family run hotel, situated couple of minutes walk from the seafront promenade and popular nightspots, casino, cinema, restaurants and shops. The Relax Inn has 40 rooms, all with balconies, tea & coffee making facilities and private facilities. The hotel offers Bar, games Room, lounge with tv (cable programs) and dvd films, rooftop splash pool. ... more | | |
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| | | More hotels in Xewkija |
| Tarxien Prehistoric Temples and The Blue Grotto |
8 hours |
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Drive to the south of the island with the Tarxien Prehistoric Temples as the first stop.
This unique group of temples, dating from 3150 to 2500 BC, are the most complex of all temples in Malta. They comprise four temple units linked by a square court and they were the last to be built on the Islands. Their skilful construction and the elaborate design and workmanship suggest that the temple builders had gained considerable expertise over the millennia since the first phase of megalithic construction.
The temples are renowned for the detail of their carvings, which include stone idols, domestic animals carved in relief, altars and screens decorated with spiral designs and other patterns.
Your next stop will take you to the fishing village of Marsascala where you will be treated to a lunch at a restaurant renowned for it's fresh fish dishes. Following lunch the coach and guide will escort us to Ghar Dalam which literally means "Cave of Darkness" - Ghar Dalam Cave is a highly important site as it was here that the earliest evidence of human settlement on Malta, some 7,400 years ago, was discovered.
The history of the cave and of the Islands can be decoded from Ghar Dalam's stratigraphy. The lowermost layers, more than 500,000 years old, contained the fossil bones of dwarf elephants, hippopotami, micro-mammals and birds. Above the pebble layer that follows, is the so-called "deer" layer, dated to around 18,000 years ago. The top layer, dates to less than 10,000 years and holds evidence of the first humans on the Island.
The last stop is at Wied Iz-Zurrieq a quaint fishing village nestled within high imposing cliffs. From here an optional boat trip (fare not included) can be taken to reveal the splendors of the impressive Blue Grotto - a cathedral in stone, with Nature as its architect, Blue Grotto is an immense cave adorned with deep blue waters inside after which it takes its name.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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| Morning Tour of Valetta |
3.5 - 4 hours |
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You will be met in your hotel lobby and escorted to your coach for a drive to the city of Valletta, built after the Great Siege of 1565.
Your tour starts with a guided walk to the Upper Barracca Gardens which boast 180 degree views of the Grand Harbor and the famed 3 cities.
Continue along the characteristic straight and narrow streets down to the Co-Cathedral of St. John. In the Cathedral you are able to visit the Cathedral Museum, which among other items of interest boasts one of Caravaggio's paintings "The beheading of St John".
You will then proceed to the Grand Master's Palace and it's Armoury. The tour ends with a visit to the Mediterranean Conference Center to view the 45 minute audio-visual, multivision - Malta Experience Show.
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| Maltese Dinner and Show in Mosta |
4 hours |
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This tour will immerse you in the traditional Maltese hospitality!
You will be taken to the Ta' Maria Restaurant in Mosta, with attendants and waiters dressed in authentic period costumes. This restaurant specializes in traditional Maltese food and presents the participants with mouth watering selection of menus which for hundreds of years has been on the table of the typical Maltese family.
Enjoy your meal in accompaniment of traditional Maltese folk music and dancing. Some of the dishes you may be feasting on include Fenek (Rabbit) , Bragioli, (stuffed beef olives) and Kusksu bil-ful (a delicious stew enriched with broad beans).
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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