GTDC | UNESCO Heritage Monuments

UNESCO Heritage Monuments

Goa has been endowed with a bountiful natural heritage and a rich historical legacy. UNCESCO has honoured some of the magnificent monuments in Old Goa with world heritage status. You can visit these sites the next time you’re in Goa.

Basilica of Bom Jesus

When you’re in Goa you can’t miss visit the relics of St Francis Xavier housed at the Basilica de Bom Jesus. The Basilica of Bom Jesus, though simple to look at, represents features from five styles of architecture: Roman, Ionic, Doric, Corinthian and Composite. It has a large single nave structure and was built between 1595 and 1605.

Basilica of Bom Jesus

Ruins of the Church of St. Augustine

One of the most distinct UNESCO heritage monuments is the ruins of St Augustine’s tower. It was one of the largest churches at its time but now the tower is the only remnant of this once magnificent structure. It was built by the Augustine order and dedicated to Our Lady of Grace. The construction of the began in 1597 and was completed in 1602. The standing tower is built of laterite at a height of four storeys. Once the Augustinians were expelled in 1835 the church was abandoned and fell to ruin.

Church of St Francis de Assisi and Convent

The Church of St Francis lies west to Se Cathedral in the same campus. Architecturally, it blends the Portuguese-Manueline style from the original structure with the later Tuscan style to produce a unique specimen of architecture. The interiors display the Baroque school using Corinthian influences. The highlight is the main altar dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi. The adjoining convent houses the Museum of Archaeological History.

Church of St Francis de Assisi and Convent

St Catherine’s Chapel

As you walk around the imposing monuments of Old Goa, walk towards the river or you’ll miss one of the oldest and historically important structures in the area. The Chapel of St Catherine is a little structure that is closed most times, but it was commissioned by the Portuguese conqueror Afonso de Albuquerque in 1510. This was to commemorate his triumphant entry into Old Goa on St Catherine’s Day. The chapel was raised to the status of a cathedral by Pope Paul III in 1534 and subsequently rebuilt.

Se Cathedral

This grand structure took almost a century to construct. It’s the most imposing of all the churches in Old Goa with its vaulted interior overwhelming visitors with its sheer grandeur. Se Cathedral is dedicated to St. Catherine. One of the important displays is the side altar dedicated to the cross inside. There are interesting legends connected to this cross.

Se Cathedral

Church of St Cajetan

As you move around Old Goa towards the Arch of the Viceroy, the Church of St Cajetan stands on your right, north east to Se Cathedral. Originally dedicated to Our Lady of Divine Providence, this was built by the Order of Theatines in 1665. It’s hemispherical dome is akin to the Basilica of St Peter in Rome. The interiors, beautifully laid out in the shape of a Grecian cross, has seven altars. The artwork is also worth a closer look.

Church of Our Lady of Rosary

Standing atop the Monte Santo (Holy Hill) and keeping a benevolent watch over Old Goa, is the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary. Beautiful in its austereness and simplicity this church is one of the only buildings in Goa that attests to the introduction of Renaissance architecture, brought to Goa by the Portuguese. It is perhaps the most Portuguese of all the Goan churches as it was not influenced by the Goan architectural solutions, which though they have their roots in the Portuguese tradition, have their own unique standing. Additionally, the building remains largely unchanged.