Goa is literally synonymous with churches. They are
living testimonies of the rich historical past of Goa. During the early
days of the Portuguese rule in India, church building was the primary
concern and occupation in Goa. This was because of their zeal to spread
Christianity and convert as many people as they can. The Goan churches
still have that old world charm and are very popular with the tourists
who visit India. The church in Goa had much importance in the social
life of the people there. It helped in the spread of education, built
hospitals and helped people in their day to day troubles of life. Check
out our related sections about the famous churches of Goa.
Basilica of Bom Jesus
One of the most popular churches in Goa, the Basilica of Bom Jesus
truly deserves to be given the status of a World Heritage Site. It is
located in Old Goa which was the capital city during the Portugal rule.
The Basilica of Bom Jesus is famous for the preserved mortal remains of
St. Francis Xavier.
Mary Immaculate
Conception
The Church of Mary Immaculate Conception is one of the most famous
landmarks of Goa. This church is supposed to be one of the earliest
churches to be constructed in Goa. Tourists come to the Mary Immaculate
Conception Church of India to feel blessed and to marvel at the
magnitude of its construction.
Reis Magos Church
The Reis Magos church of Goa is one of the most famous landmarks of the
Reis Magos village located in Goa. This famous church is visible from
across the River Mandovi as a white monument that is stunningly
beautiful to look at. The church is located on the road that passes the
famous Calangute and Candolim beaches.
Se Cathedral
The Se Cathedral of Goa is located in old Goa, and is around 9
kilometers from the capital city Panaji. The Se Cathedral of Goa is
dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria. This magnificent edifice was
built in the 16th century under the Portuguese rule in India.
St. Anne Church
The church of St. Anne of Goa is noted for its remarkable architecture
in India. The present day church was reconstructed by Mons Francisco do
Rego with his own money. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, he could
not complete the construction and Father Antonio Francisco da Cunha was
bestowed with the responsibility of completing the construction of the
church.
Church of St.
Augustine
The ruins of St. Augustine church is a very popular tourist attraction
and one of the most spectacular monuments in Goa. The church was built
in 1602 with the combined efforts of 12 Augustinians. They also built a
convent besides the church.
St. Cajetan Church
The St. Cajetan church is located in Old Goa near the Se cathedral
church. The church is visited by numerous tourists because of exquisite
architecture. This vast and strikingly beautiful church has been
constructed on the primary design of the Basilica of St. Peter located
in Rome.
Church of St. Francis
A stunning and charming building, the Church of St. Francis of Assisi
is located in Old Goa at a distance of some 10 kilometers from the
capital city, Panaji. The Church of St. Francis of Assisi is at the same
complex in which Se Cathedral is located. The Church of St. Francis of
Assisi of Goa was built during 1517-1521 AD.
St. Paul Church
The St. Paul Church is a ruined church that is a popular tourist
attraction in Goa. It is located on the road that one takes from Old Goa
to reach Ponda. One can always hire local transport to reach this lovely
church. The church of St. Paul in Goa was set up because of the efforts
of two priests namely Diogo de Borba and Miguel Vaz.
