Goa, Churches And Convents


Built of laterite and lime plaster, the churches and cathedrals built during 16th to 17th century A.D at old Goa are a legacy of the Portuguese. They comprise of Se Cathedral, church and convents of St.Francis of Assisi, chapel of St.Catherine, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Church of Lady of Rosary and the church of St.Augustine.


Basilica of Bom Jesus

Built in a combination of the renaissance and baroque styles, these churches and convents in old Goa are architectural masterpieces. The Basilica of Bom Jesus, where the mortal remains of St.Francis Xavier rest, is one of the best design and style.

The church of St.Cajetan has a façade decorates with lonic, Doric and Corinthian pilasters. The Se Cathedral, with its Tuscan exterior, Corinthian columns, raised platform with steps leading to the entrance and a barrel-vault, is yet another example of Renaissance architecture.

The paintings in the church are executed on wooden borders and fixed between panels with floral designs. Except of a few statues which are in stone, most of the other statues of the saints, Mother Mary and Jesus are mostly first carved in wood and then painted to adorn the altars.

Travel Information

Timings : Open on all weekdays from sunrise to sunset. No entry fee.

Best time to visit : Winters

Access : Air links to Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai and Pune. The nearest railhead is Vasco da Gama, (35 km) from Panaji. Goa is connected with Londa junction on the Miraj-Bangalore sector of South Central railway. Konkan railway linking Mumbai with Mangalore passes through Goa (Madgaon).

Good motorable road connects Goa with other towns via the national highways NH 4A, NH17 and NH 17A. Road links to Ahmedabad (1,138 km), Aurangabad (699 km), Bangalore (599 km), Mumbai (597 km), Chennai (923 km), Pune (473 km). Bus services connect Goa with Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Mangalore and other major towns in the neighbouring states.

From Mumbai, by Catamaran services operates by M/s Damania shipping (P) Ltd. From October to May only.

Where to stay

Deluxe hotels : Aguada hermitage, The fort Aguada bech resort, The Taj holiday village, Majorda beach resort, Oberoi Bogmalo beach, Cidade de Goa.

Standard hotels : Fidalgo, Mandovi, Hotel Nova Goa.

Other hotels : Paying guest accommodation and many ‘lower-end’ hotels are available.

Places to visit : Panaji, Old Goa, Aguada Fort and beaches of Baga, Calangute, Sinquerim, Anjuna, Chapora/Vagator, Arambol/Terekol, Bogmalo, Colva etc.