Churches Of Old Goa: A Local’s Guide To Visiting The UNESCO Heritage Site In 2024

The churches of Old Goa are one of the most talked about and visited sites in the state and with good reason.

These humongous churches are not just decades but centuries old and have a rather imposing presence that cannot be described in words.

A part of that could be because this historical site holds a special part in the hearts of us Goans.

My memories of Old Goa go back to when I was a tiny tot visiting the site with my family during the novenas for the feast. Back then the grounds looked endless, the throngs impenetrable and the festivities were a thing to behold.

Now from a slightly higher perspective and longer legs, the grounds still feel vast but conquerable! Everything else is almost exactly the same, except that in addition to the wonder that one perceives when wandering through the hallowed buildings, there is a sense of nostalgia.

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Getting To Old Goa

Most people choose to drive to Old Goa using their own transportation. If you aren’t visiting Goa on a road trip, there are a variety of rental options that are available.

Note that in order to drive in India you need to possess a valid Indian drivers license or an international drivers permit. In case you are not comfortable driving on Indian roads, then you could choose to either hire a driver or rent a cab.

Alternatively you could choose to explore the churches of Old Goa via a tour. There are many tours that start off from different parts of the city.

One of the popular tour organizers in the state is Soul Travelling. While I have not used their tours personally, I have only heard good reviews about their work. They provide an offbeat view to different aspects of Goan life.

Best Time To Visit The Churches Of Old Goa

Most of the tourist buses tend to head towards Old Goa somewhere midday. So the complex starts to get crowded after 11 am.

The Old Goa complex however opens at around 8:30 am in the morning and I would suggest getting an early start to the day. That way the heat does not wear you down.

The grounds of the Old Goa complex are large and there is little shade. The upside is that a lot of the exploring is done in indoors.

General Rules To Follow When Visiting The Churches Of Old Goa

Visitors to the churches of Old Goa should follow the basic rules that apply to any religious place. I’m just stating them because many people are caught off guard and that could ruin your trip and the sanctity of the place you are wearing.

1. Dress decently. This means that your shoulders and legs till your knees should be covered. You won’t be allowed inside the churches if you aren’t.
2. Maintain silence. Remember that the place that you are visiting is a religious site and while you may be a tourist visiting, there are others who visit the site to worship.
3. Do not touch the painted walls. The age-old paintings on the walls get damaged every time people touch them. Preserving them is as much your responsibility as a tourist as it is that of those who maintain the complex.
4. Do not litter. This should go without saying though since you should not litter anywhere!

The Different Churches Of Old Goa:

The Churches of Goa are centuries old and their architecture is striking. Each of the churches of Old Goa has their own individual history and it would make better sense if I discussed them individually.

When people talk about the churches of Old Goa they are likely to be referring to the two most popular churches in the area. Namely, Basilica of Bom Jesus and the Se Cathedral.

There are however a number of the churches in the area that deserve mention. In fact, if you have time and transport you can spend the entire day just exploring the different churches and delving into their unique history.

The Basilica Of Bom Jesus

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is one of the most famous Churches of Old Goa

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is one of the most famous churches in Goa. Constructed in 1594, this Indo-Portuguese church is a pilgrimage site and has emerged as a landmark in history of Christianity. The Basilica of Bom Jesus houses the remains of St. Francis Xavier who is the patron saint of Goa. Popularly known as Goemche Saib in Konkani, this saint a special place in the hearts of most Goan Christians.

Every year, the complex of the Old Goa churches is flooded with devotees during the novena and the feast of St. Francis Xavier.

Pandals are constructed to house the devotees during mass, stalls that sell a variety of local sweets and curiosities are erected and then normally quiet grounds team with people wandering around waiting to pay their respects to the saint.

The festivities reach their height every ten years when the body of St. Francis Xavier is brought down for veneration.

The brown high arched Basilica, with its gilded altars and gorgeous murals is a sight to behold. The mausoleum was designed by Giovanni Battista, a 17^th century Florentine sculptor and it took him 10 years to complete it! The relics of the saint are housed in a silver casket.

Don’t expect to see the relic at close quarters though. The holy remains are brought down for veneration only once every ten years. Even then, the crowds that jostle each other for a glimpse of the saint are humongous.

The Se Catheral

The Se Cathedral de Santa Catarina is popularly known just as the Se Cathedral. I did not even know that there was a longer form to it till I started doing my research for this post. The word Se comes from the Portuguese word Ver which means ‘To See’.

Commissioned in 1552, the actual construction of the church began in 1562 under the reign of King Dom Sebastiao. The interesting part about the Se Cathedral is that it was built on the remains of an earlier structure. After over 50 years of work, the cathedral was completed in 1619 but was only consecrated in 1640.

Stop for a moment in front of the cathedral and take in its façade. You will notice that it had only one tower. The original stricture however had two. The tower on the right collapsed in 1776 and was never rebuilt.

Most of the times that I have visited the Se Cathedral, I have found it closed. There have been only two or three times in which I have actually managed to enter the church. One of which was lately. The high arched church is beautiful on the inside.

Ornate niches honour different saints. One these niches houses the Cross of miracles that has become popular among devotees because of the legends associated with it.

At the very front of the church, you will see remnants of the old structure the cathedral was built on. Stones marking the resting place of different prominent people of the 15^th century are visible.

The writing on these stones ranges from Latin to Portuguese and in most cases the stone slabs are worn out.

St Augustine’S Tower

The ruins of the St. Augustine tower are impressive and a worth a visit.

I’ve written a long detailed post about St. Augustine’s Tower and won’t go into the details. In 1572, the friars of At. Augustine came to Goa and set up a small on convent on the hill where St. Augustine’s tower currently stands.

In due course of time the convent was enlarged such that it encompassed three floors, had numerous halls, a refectory, pillars, galleries and so much more.

The entire structure is now in ruins. The iconic tower of St. Augustine however still stands tall and while you can’t actually climb up the structure, it is visible from most parts of Old Goa.

An interesting thing about the church of St Augustine is the relics that were kept within. While the relics of the Queen Saint Ketevan (A Georgian queen at that!) have been returned to their country, the concrete tomb that housed them still stands.

Church Of St Cajetan

Among the different churches of Old Goa, the Church of St. Cajetan stands out because of its architecture.

If you are in Old Goa, the church of St. Cajetan is another interesting church that you should consider visiting. This church too is part of the World heritage site that encompasses the churches and convents in the area. The church of St. Cajetan was completed in 1661 and its architecture is very different from the churches in the vicinity.

This is because carries a lot of Italian influence since it was constructed by the Italian priests of the Theatine order.

The architects Carlo Ferrarini and Francesco Mario Milazzo who supervised the project were also Italian. It is said that this church was modelled after the St. Peter’s Basilica from the Vatican City. It is however one of the lesser visited churches of Old Goa.

Church Of St. Francis Of Assisi

The Church of St. Francis of Assisi is another notable church in the list of churches of Old Goa that you should visit. This church is right next to the architectural museum in the complex and is one that is often overlooked.

Built in the Corinthian and Barque style, this church has mesmerizing interiors. Wooden carved altars with high domed roofs, one can only imagine how impressive the church must have been in its heyday.

Chapel Of St. Catherine Of Alexandria

It may not be one of the Churches of Old Goa, but the Chapel of St. Catherine of Alexandria is another spot that you should consider the visiting. It won’t take you far out of your way as the location of the chapel is within the complex of the Old Goa churches and right next to the museum of architecture.

Built in 1510, this Barque style chapel overlooks the river Mandovi and has a brown and white façade. It is no longer functional.

Alternate Things To Do Near The Churches Of Old Goa

Old Goa in itself is a very pretty place to visit. It isn’t particularly offbeat any more but it definitely will tell you a lot about the history of the state. There are a couple of things in addition to the churches that are worth adding to your itinerary.

The Archaeological Museum Of Goa

This museum tells you about the history of Goa. Here you will see a number of artifacts that date back a number of centuries. The ticket is a nominal Rs 20/- and well worth it. It is also a great place to get out of the heat should you need the break.

The Museum Of Christian Art

A lesser visited museum but one I have always found intriguing is the museum of Christian Art. Not only does it tell you about the history of the Churches of Old Goa, it also talks about the other churches of significance. I was really taken aback when I realized that many of the churches that we visited as a routine in our childhood were in fact decades old.

The Viceroys Arch

Erected in 1599 but restored in 1954, this arch has been around for centuries. It is a pretty place to stop at for photographs if you have time. If you venture a little further you will have a glimpse of the river Mandovi. This area of Old Goa is quaint, laid back and is a stark contrast to the hub of activity that surrounds the Churches of Old Goa.

Best Tours To The Churches Of Old Goa

I generally do not take any tours because we know the entire layout. I mean, I’ve been visiting the Churches of Old Goa every year since the time I was born. I do however get that for many people transportation can be an issue when you are visiting.

Plus, if this is your first time visiting, listening to the history and personal stories adds a touch that really changes your visit.

Here are some of the tours to the Churches of Old Goa that I have heard every one recommend. The one by Soul Traveling however is the best and is something that even the locals head out on. Why? Because it is different and you get all the local tales!

Old Goa Heritage Walk by Make It Happen

⭐️ Rating: 5/5 (277 Reviews) Price: $11.24 per person Duration: 2 hours 15 min 📍Meeting Point: Viceroys Arch, Goa Details: Read more on Viator!

Did I mention that the tour is in English? You will also have transportation covered which really makes the whole trip so much more comfortable.

The Christian Art Trail, Old Goa by Soul Travelling

⭐️ Rating: 5/5 (44 Reviews) Price: $19 per person Duration: 3 hours 📍Meeting Point: Church of Our Lady of the Rosary Details: Read more on Viator!

On the tour you will learn about the old wall painting techniques, the Kaavi artworks and even the origins of Bebinca which is one of those Goan sweets that everyone loves. Did I mention that this is all in addition to the walking tour around the Churches of Old Goa?

So if you ask me, this is the tour to book! In fact, it is so cool that I’m probably going to book my spot on it the next time I go home!

Churches Of Old Goa FAQ

Which Is The Most Famous Church In Old Goa?

I think that the most famous Church in Old Goa is the Bom Jesus Basilica. This is because it houses the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. If you ask a local, they will however tell you that no visit to Old Goa is complete without a visit to the Se Cathedral too.

I’ve often found the Se Cathedral closed though. We still always walk up to it just to admire it.

Is There Any Dress Code For Mass In Old Goa?

The dress code for mass in Old Goa is the same as at any other church or religious institution. Your clothes need to be modest. You should not arrive in shorts and flip flops. Cover your shoulders.

Other unsaid etiquette rules include being silent, not taking photographs during the mass and not consuming communion if you have not received the sacrament.

Note: Images for this post have been clicked by Darius Fernandes who is a professional photographer based out of Goa.

He loves being creative with his photo shoots and has a knack of making people feel comfortable in front of the camera (me included which is a feat!).

If you are looking for destination photography, he is the man for the job. Take a look at his Instagram page and you will see just what I mean!

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