Places to see in Old Goa

Old Goa is an ineffaceable and at the same time indivisible part of the Goa. Once forlorn and deserted this erstwhile capital of Goa is one of the most significant and important world heritage sites not only in the within Goa or India but counted among the others in the world. Often referred to as the Rome of the Orient, Old Goa is certainly a marvelous place that marvels the visitors with its distinctive old world charm and devotion and spiritual forte that is very difficult to articulate or put effectively in words and thoughts. The Churches of the Old Goa as well as the enriched natural surroundings are quaint and enchanting and offer the tourists the solitude that they are possibly looking out for.  



The places to See in Old Goa or Velha Goa are:

Basilica of Bon Jesu- This is one of the most important churches in Old Goa.  Built in 1602 the church is a church in terms of Christian legacy and is a popular tourist destination and pilgrimage site. Dedicated to the child Jesus that is enshrined above the main altar just before the Statue of the great Jesuit founder St. Ignatius of Loyola.  This is one of the first minor cathedrals in India. Constructed in Baroque style the church is adorned with Golden wood carving and phylacteries and the church is adorned with three magnificent altars apart from the center high altar. The second altar to the right of the church is named after the Great Saint Francis Xavier whose incorrupt mortal remains are preserved in air tight silver casket. The exposition of the saint’s coffin happens once in every ten years. Believers and tourists alike come and kneel and pray before holy altar and pray for three graces. The saint is also revered for his power of healing. The church also exhibits distinctive Corinthian. In the presbytery area of the church there is a collection of artifacts like the vestments used by the saint, a golden rose from Rome, some pictures and paintings of erst while popes and a whole size portrait of the body of the saint. Above the presbytery is a museum open for the public that has painting depicting the life of the saint and close to 30 wooden statues of Saints collected from all churches in Goa and a neo modern exhibit. Inside the vicinity there is also an art and sound show that happens on every Tuesday of the week. There is also a wonderful garden that can be visited by tourists.

Se Cathedral- The magnificent Se Cathedral is surrounded by well adorned and manicured gardens around the magnificent edifice.  Built in Portuguese manuline style of construction the exteriors of this magnificent church were built in distinctive Tuscan style and the interiors of the church was built in Corinthian Style. The main altar of the church is dedicated to St. Catherine and as such there are a number of altars that adorn the Se Cathedral. One of the altars of the church houses the Miracle Cross that is dedicated to the is believed to grow by itself.  The main panels of the church are gilded with portraits that bear the events in the life of St. Catherine. The founts for baptism used in the church date back to the time of St. Francis and as such are said to be used by him for the sacrament of baptism.

Church of St. Francis of Assisi– The church of St. Francis of Assisi is one engineering marvels. The three octagonal towers of the church one each side and in the central niche there is a statue of St. Michael. The main entrance is decorated with circular pilasters and rosette band. The central nave is barrel-vaulted while the crossing is rib-vaulted which supports the choir. The internal buttress walls, separating the chapels and supporting the gallery on top, have frescoes showing floral designs. Above the main tabernacle is held is a large statue of St. Francis Assisi and then there are other altars that have enshrined the statues of St. Peter and St. Paul.

Church of St. Cajetan– The Church of St.Cajetan has an architectural style that is similar to that of the St. Peters Basilica in Rome. The church is constructed in Corinthian Style and Doric style the church has a distinctive style. The church is decorated with a number of paintings in and around the entire altars and covers each and every aspect. The main altar is elevated to level so that the entire congregation could seen the proceedings of the Holy Mass. The church of St. Cajetan over the past few decades has been undergoing a process of restoration .Some of the mosaics of the church where whitewashed and such the ASI has made efforts to restore all the mosaics and the paintings.  This is a very critical and painstaking process and as such would take some years more. But the efforts are to restore the pristine grandeur of the temple that was lost as a result of negligence.

The Archeological museum of Old Goa-  This museum was opened  for the public a year after the liberation and has several artifacts pertaining to church Artifacts, e portrait paintings of governors and viceroys, wooden sculptures, pillars, capitals, postal stamps likewise many other objects which belong to the Portuguese period in Goa. The showcase has also a display on portraits of various Governor Generals of Goa during the 450 years of reign in the state. The additional facilities provided for the visitors include the potable drinking water, clean inventory, video show on World Heritage properties in India, children activity center, publication sale counter.

The Catholic Art Museum- It is an example of the state to ensure and protect the efforts of preserving of the Indo and Portuguese catholic art. The Museum of Christian Art showcases the wealth found in the various churches built by the Portuguese in Goa as well as some donations by private families. Intended to be a representative collection, every object displayed in the museum, reflects the immense wealth of the churches of Goa. Asia’s first Museum of Christian Art was initially located at the Seminary of Rachol, Salcette, and Goa, where it was inaugurated in 1994. The Museum is now relocated within the Convent of Santa Monica, Old Goa, in the vicinity of world Heritage Monuments.

St. Augustine– This is one of the oldest churches in Old Goa. All that remains of the church is the towering bell tower. If present in the form that was constructed it would have been one of the largest church complex in the entire country. n 1835 this complex was abandoned due to the expulsion of the religious orders from Goa and the Portuguese Government ordered its demolition. In 1846 the main vault of the Church collapsed and the convent rapidly decayed. Subsequently the vaults and the roof of the church also. Finally the whole church was abandoned and the last remaining inhabitation was in the year 1835. What remains today is the only façade. An important part of history that remains the tall tower. The ambience of the order in the ruins is peaceful and enchanting and tourists come here to see te ruins and the remnants of what was. The quietude is strange and often inexplicable.

Old Goa is certainly a place to discover and understand. There is a power that reaches out to the tourists and visitors alike. This is truly enchanting  experience of divinity. To truly experience Old Goa may require a whole week or even too, but we have the best possible information that would help you.