Goa > Churches

Basicila of Bom Jesus holds the miraculously preserved body of St. Francis Xavier. Apart from the body of the saint in a crystal coffin, the main feature of the church is its high altar covered in gold leaf and enhanced with twisted columns. Surmounting the altar is a statue of the soldier turned saint and founder of the Jesuit order, Ignatius Loyola, with a halo behind his head. Apart from the richly gilded altars, the interior of the church is extremely simple. The Florentine sculptor Giovanni Batista Foggini executed the construction of the tomb of St. Francis. It took 10 years to build and was completed in 1698. The mortal remains of St. Francis are housed in a silver casket, which was once encrusted with jewels. On the walls surrounding the casket are the murals, which depict scenes from the saints’ journeys and his death on Sancian Island.

Se Cathedral, commissioned by the Portuguese king Dom Sebastian, was completed in 1562. It is a blend of a number of architectural styles: a Tuscan exterior, Cornithian columns and striking Baroque altars in a Portuguese Gothic style. Particularly noteworthy are the carved wooden scenes before the side altars. The remaining tower houses the beautifully resonant Golden Bell, the largest in Goa, which is rung at 11.30 am instead of 12 noon for Angelus prayers.

Across the road from the cathedral is the Church of St. Catejan, which is modeled on the original design of St. Peters in Rome. It is built of laterite blocks plastered with lime and was constructed by Italian friars of the Order of Theatines, who were sent by Pope Urban III to preach Christianity in the kingdom of Golconda. Since they were not permitted to work in Golconda, they settled in Old Goa. Two bell towers stand on either side. The church also has a beautifully carved altar under a graceful dome.

The great gate of the College of St. Paul is today only a lime plastered laterite arch. Down the lane is the little Chapel of St. Francis Xavier, small, with an altar and a tiled roof supported by wooden rafters.

The original Church of St. Augustine was abandoned in 1835 due to religious persecution by the Portuguese and only a stark belfry now remains. Not very far away is the beautiful convent of St. Monica. This huge building was completely burned down in 1639 and reconstructed a year later.

The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary is a marble cenotaph which has intricate designs in the Bijapur style of carving, because muslim and hindu workers were used to construct it.

The Convent and Church of St. Francis of Assiei contains gilded and carved woodwork and murals depicting scenes from the life of the saint. The floor is made of carved gravestones, complete with family coat of arms dating back to early 16th century. The convent behind this church is now the archeological museum.

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