Chapel of St. Francis Xavier:

This plain chapel with only one altar is dedicated to Goa’s Sante Padro, or St. Francis, who used this chapel when he was here. The chapel is just a little distance from the gates of St. Paul’s college and is a beautiful structure made of laterite, plastered with lime mortar. The evening mass of this chapel is an absolute delight and a soul touching experience. If you are here, make sure to attend it.

The church is located in Panjim Old Goa and is open from 6 am to 6.30 pm every day.

Church of Carmelites:

Built in 1621 AD, the church was destroyed after around 100 years when the Carmellites denied to take oath of allegiance to the King of Portugal. The Caramalites were driven out in 1707 and the church was abandoned and never used again. All that remains of the church on the hill top are remains of a once beautiful building.

The church is located in Panjim, Old Goa.

The Chapel of Our Lady on the Mount:

The chapel of Our Lady of the Mount, as the name suggests, is situated on a mount (hill) commanding attention from all those passing by. The chapel has three altars, dedicated to: Our Lady of the Mount, St. Anthony and St. Andrew respectively. The chapel was built by Alfonso de Albuquerque in 1510, to mark his victory over the old empire of Goa. The church lies around 2 kms from Ponda and is absolute delight to the eyes.

The chapel and convent of St. Monica:

The aesthetic beauty of the simple yet elegant architecture of the chapel and convent of St. Monica is one of the rarest kinds. Built as a grand three storied place, the architectural plan of the place is square, with a cloistered veranda with cells and halls around it.

The construction of the chapel was started in 1606 and was completed in 1627. There was, unfortunately, a great fire which destroyed the place in 1636. The building was restored in the following year.

The Convent was earlier called the Royal Monastery, because of the royal patronage and housed 11 chapels and seminary for girls. Now, the convent houses the Mater dei institute for nuns, started in 1964. The church in the convent is dedicated to St. Mary.

The convent and chapel are located on the holy hill in Panjim, Old Goa.

Se Cathedral

The biggest church in Goa, the Se Cathedral, is dedicated to St. Catherine. Goa was conquered by the Portuguese, on her feast day, 25 November 1510 and hence, she held prime importance for them. The church is made in Portuguese gothic style, the exterior of the building being Tuscan and the interior, Corinthian.  It took almost three fourth of a century to build the church and it truly represents what the Portuguese wanted it to represent: the grandest example of power and wealth of their empire.

The church has been declared as a world heritage site by the UNESCO and is of prime importance to Christians.

The church is open all seven days from 7.30 am to 6.30 pm except during mass.

Convent and Church of St. Francis of Assisi

Built as a chapel in 1517 by the first Franciscans who arrived in Goa, convent and church of St. Francis of Assisi was rebuilt in 1521, remodelled in 1663 and reconstructed in 1884 as it stands now. The convent has now been converted into the archaeological museum which houses some of the most interesting artefacts related to Goa’s history.

The church, made of laterite stone, is lime plastered, while the interiors are mosaic Corinthian in style.

The main altar is dedicated to St. Francis.

The church is open from 7.30 to 6.30 except Sundays,

Basilica of Bom de Jesus

The world famous Basilica of Bom de Jesus (infant Jesus) is situated just 9 kilometres from Panaji. Highly revered by most Goans, this is India’s first basilica, and keeps the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. Each year, the relic is taken out for public viewing and Christians from all around the globe come here to witness the special day.

The basilica was the head quarters of the Jesuits of east and the Jesuit architecture is predominant in the building. The basilica is also declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
It is open every day from 6 am to 6.30 pm.

Church of Our Lady of Rosary

Marking the first victory of Portuguese in Goa, the church was built in 1554, on the Monte Santo (holy hill). The church is a good example of the Manueline architecture of early Portuguese with a visible gothic influence.  The church also holds a feast in the month of November in which various dances, fetes and celebrations are held.

The church is open every day from 9 am to 5.30 pm.

Chapel of St Catherine

Alfonso de Albuquerque, to mark his victory on entering Goa on St. Catherine’s day ordered to build this chapel. Originally, thatched, it was replaced by an altar in 1550 and the chapel was restored in 1551. Built in the renaissance style, the church boasts a simple yet marvellous design.
The church is open every day from 6 am to 6 pm.

Goa boasts a large number of churches as well as places of worship of other religions. There are many churches in Goa to see apart from those already described. These include: Church of Reis Magos, Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, church of St. Cajetan, Church of the Holy Spirit, Convent of St. Monica etc.

The architecture of these churches is uniquely Goan and is not found anywhere else. Religious or not, you can’t help but fall in love with these places of worship.

Church of St. Cajetan

A splendid piece of art in white, the church of St. Cajetan, attracts tourists as well as devout from everywhere.  The church is built on the line of Basilica of St. Peter in Rome and the architectural design is in Corinthian. Beautifully ornamented with gilded altars and rare paintings, the church comprises of a nave and two side aisles. A truly unique thing about this church is that instead of being decorated in classical western art, the church is beautifully ornamented with Goan culture and art. Be it the motifs or the pulpit, Goan craftsmanship is evident everywhere.

The church is dedicated to our Lady of Providence and named after the founder of the Theatin order, St. Cajetan, a contemporary of St. Francis Xavier.

In the church, there are three altars in the left, dedicated to the holy family of Our Lady of Piety and St. Clare and towards the right are the altars of St. John, St. Agnes and St. Cajetan.

The church is easily accessible, being just a 3 minute walk from Se Cathedral, in Panjim old Goa.

The presence of an old well in the church’s premises is a curious sight and as suggested by some historians, this place might have been a Hindu temple in the past.

Convent and Church of St. John of God

Located in the eastern corner of the St. Augustine’s tower, stands the former Convent and Church of St. John of God, which has now been converted into an old age home, run by the Franciscan nuns.  Architecturally simple, this church still has a Portuguese aura around it. Although not artistically interesting, the place has a rich history. It was once under the   administration of the society of Misercordia after which it was abandoned for some time.

Then, the nuns of St. Monica it over its charge, and the church became a residence for confessors and chaplains who used to come here.

The Church is in Panjim Old Goa, near the St. Augustine tower and can easily be reached by a taxi.

The Convent and Church of Cross of the Miracle

This medieval European edifice stands on a hill on the outskirts of old Goa and is seeing its end.  Made especially to house the Cross of Miracles in 1619, this laterite church is plastered with mortared lime and has one storey with many cells.

The Church was abandoned in 1835, after being used as a congregation for the Oratory of Philip Neri of Goa; The Cross that the church housed bieng transferred to Se Cathedral in 1845.
The church can easily be reached from Panaji through a taxi.

The Royal Chapel of St. Anthony

Built in early 17th century, The Royal Chapel of St. Anthony is dedicated to Portugal’s National Saint, St. Anthony.  The Church was closed in 1835 and reopened in 1894.  Recently, the church was renovated completely by the Portuguese government. The renovated church has a mesmerising interior as well as exterior.

Situated in the western side of St. Augustine’s tower, the church is in Old Goa and easily reachable.

Tower of the Church of St. Augustine

This lofty 46 meter tower, situated on top of the holy hill, belongs to the Church of St. Augustine and is held in high esteem by the people of Goa. Built in 1601, this tower is the last one standing of the four originally built here. The church when intact was probably one of the biggest and most important church, but now only a hint of its eight beautiful chapels and four altars remain.

The holy hill is located in Old Goa and is easily accessible by local transport and the state transports, including buses, taxis, ferry services and the car rental services.