Beautiful Churches in Goa To Visit- Ngtraveller
One of the best ways to explore Goa's rich history is to explore Goa's many churches. The state turns out to be a haven for architecture enthusiasts with some of the best examples of Neo-Gothic, Neo-Romanesque, and many other graceful architectural styles etched into its historic churches. From the Basilica of Baume Jesus to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Goa is full of churches that demand to be explored!
Basilica of Bom Jesus
The Bom Jesus Basilica is located in Goa which is unique in India and is famous for its typical baroque architecture. Built in 1594 and consecrated in 1605, the construction of this church coincides with the beginning of Christianity in India. The church is located in Old Goa in Bainguinim, about 10 km from Panjim. The oldest church in Goa, it houses the remains of Saint Francis Xavier, a special friend of Saint Ignatius of Loyola with whom he founded the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). Even after 400 years, the remains remain in good condition and are removed once every decade.
A site of great cultural and religious importance, the Bom Jesus Church has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Literal translation of "Holy Jesus", this is the only church in Old Goa that is not pasted on the outside. The facade of the church has a delicately carved triangular roof with the initials "IHS", an abbreviation of the Jesuit motto that means "Jesus, Savior of men."
Inside, the floor of the basilica is marble mosaic with precious stones, which gives it a majestic appearance. The interior is decorated with a floor-to-ceiling parapet depicting Saint Ignatius of Loyola protecting a baby Jesus. Above all there is the image of the Holy Trinity, which is the most sacred symbol of Christianity. Basilica Bom Jesus is over 408 years old and is open to the public every day.
Se Cathedral
The Se Cathedral, or Be Cathedral of Saint Catherine, is one of the largest in Asia and an important church in Goa. Located in Old Goa, it is dedicated to Saint Catherine and is an important center of the Roman Catholic Diocese of the Latin Rite of Goa and Daman. The Cathedral is a famous landmark in Goa with Manuel's Portuguese architecture.
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The Cathedral houses the huge golden bell, which is the largest bell in Goa and one of the best on the continent. Apparently the sound of the bell could be heard throughout the state. The Cathedral is simple in design and consists of 14 altars, each of which is beautifully and intricately carved. Among them, the main altar is decorated with gilding that illustrates the life of Saint Catherine in Alexandria.
Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
Located in Panjim, Our Lady of Immaculate Conception is one of the most famous and also oldest chapels in Goa. Built in the Portuguese Baroque style, the church is located on a slight elevation on a hill. It is known to have the second largest church bells in Goa. These bells are known to have been removed from the Augustinian ruins of the Church of Our Lady of Grace, which was located in Old Goa.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception was originally built in 1541, but was replaced by a much larger structure in the 17th century. The church's facade is painted impeccable white with a double set of spiral staircases to the top of the hill where it stands. The view of the sunset and the church lit up at night is a heartwarming sight to witness.
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The church draws crowds of locals and tourists for the festival of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, which is celebrated on December 8 each year.
Church of St Francis of Assisi
The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi is a 16th century Portuguese church located near the Se Cathedral in Goa. It is a popular landmark displaying an eclectic mix of impressive architecture and intricate carvings. A statue of Mother Mary stands in front of the church and the church tower behind it. An archaeological museum is located next to the Basilica of San Francisco de Assisi.
Church of St. Cajetan
The Church of St. Caetano, located in Old Goa near Se Cathedral, is considered one of the most beautiful churches in Goa. It is the Roman Catholic Parish Church of Goa and Daman that was built in the second half of the 17th century. The only surviving structure in Goa, the church is admired for its exquisite and exquisite architecture reminiscent of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
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Initially called the Church of Our Lady of Providence, it is part of the World Heritage Site, churches and monasteries. It is named after the founder of the theatine system, San Cayetano, although the church is dedicated to Our Lady of Providence. Inside the church there are on the left three altars dedicated to the Sagrada Familia, Nuestra Señora de la Piedad and Santa Clara and the altars on the right dedicated to Santa Inés, San Cayetano and San Juan. Although the building is 300 years old, it has been superbly preserved and is still visited in great numbers by devout Catholics and tourists alike.
