If you love reading the history and exploring the ancient places of unsung tales is on your list, then going on the Old Goa Church tour for which you can even do the online booking will keep you content and leave you with cherished memories. Hiring a history guide would throw light on the fascinating facts about Goa churches and tour’s history.
Old Goa or Velha Goa was founded by the rulers of the Bijapur Sultanate as a port town in the 15th century and is located on the banks of Mandovi River. This town was considered as the administrative town of the seat of Portuguese India. Owing to its “magnificent structures”, this town is also known as “Rome of the East”.
Old Goa is located 9 km away from Panjim city. You can go to Margao or Vasco, then take shuttle services and reach Panjim Main bus stand. You can get a cab or auto from there for Old Goa. Feeling adventurous? Then go for the bus to Old Goa.
This place has been proclaimed as the UNESCO World Heritage site where the mortal remains of Patron Saint of Goa, Saint Francis Xavier are kept and it was consecrated by Archbishop Dom Father Aleixo de Menezes. Every ten years, an exposition to venerate the body of the saint takes place. On 3rd December feast of St. Francis Xavier is celebrated here every year.
Church Timings: Open on all days from 9: 00 am to 6:30 pm
Fees: No Entry fees
To commemorate the victory of Afonso de Albuquerque over the Muslim army, Se’ Cathedral was built with the architectural style being Portuguese Manueline. The church was consecrated in 1640 and received “Golden Rose” by Venerable Pope Pius XII.
Church Timings: Open on all days from 7:00 am to 6:30 pm
Fees: No Entry fees
In 1517, this church was built by Eight Franciscan friars with laterite blocks and is plastered with lime. The church faces west having three chapels present on either side. The church depicts the fusion of various mind-blowing architectural styles with Tuscan styled exterior and Manueline styled interiors. The unique paintings portraying the life events of Saint Francis Xavier are used to decorate the church’s interiors.
Church Timings: Open on all days from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm except Sunday
Fees: No Entry Fees
The structure of this church built by Augustinian friars now stands in ruins. The neglect of maintaining the church led to the collapse of the main church with one tower remaining out of four. Soon the rest of the structure collapsed and the bell of the church was shifted to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church. Excavations by Archaeological Survey of India revealed that the structure had eight chapels, four altars and a convent.
Church Timings: Open from Monday to Friday from 6:00 am to 12:45 pm and 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Fees: No Entry fees
The museum founded by the Archaeological Survey of India is situated in the convent section of St. Francis of Assisi Church. Time will fly while you are engrossed in knowing the early history of Goa and witnessing the remnants of the Portuguese rule in Goa. You will find Portuguese weapons and portraits of Governors and Viceroys of Goa here.
Church Timings: Open on all days from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm except Friday
Fee: Rs 5 per person
9:30 am – 7:30 pm (10.00 Hours)
