Se’ Cathedral/ से कॅथेड्रल, UNESCO Monument, Old Goa, Goa.

This visit to the Se Cathedral/ से कॅथेड्रल, UNESCO Monument, Old Goa, Goa, was a part of the Goa Heritage walk to the temples and Heritage sites, organised by Aatrupadai, from 5^th December 2025 to 7^th December 2025. Thanks to திருச்சி பார்த்தி for organising the Heritage walk.

Churches & Convents of Goa have been inscribed on the World Heritage List of the Convention concerning the protection of the world's cultural and natural heritage on October 20, 1986. Inscription on this list confirms the exceptional universal value of a cultural or natural site which deserves protection for the benefit of all humanity. This UNESCO monument comprises churches, which includes dilapidated Church of St. Augustine Ruins. The list of Monuments are… 

1. Basilica of Bom Jesus

2. Church of St. Augustine

3. Church of Our Lady of Rosary

4. Chapel of St. Catherine

5. Church of St. Francis of ASSISI

6. SE' Cathedral

7. Chapel of St. Cajetan.

SE' CATHEDRAL

Churches & Convents of Goa have been inscribed on the World Heritage List of the Convention concerning the protection of the world's cultural and natural heritage on October 20, 1986. Inscription on this list confirms the exceptional universal value of a cultural or natural site, which deserves protection for the benefit of all humanity

The largest church among the group was built in the first quarter of the 17th century. Built on a raised plinth of laterite, the church has, besides the main altar, eight chapels alongside the aisles and six altars in the transept. The structure is oblong on plan but has a cruciform layout in the interior. Architecturally, the exterior of the building is Tuscan and the interior Corinthian. A belfry on the southern side of the façade is said to possess a golden bell that was heard all over old Goa.

The pillared nave is barrel vaulted, while the crossing is rib-vaulted. The main entrance in the façade has Corinthian columns on a plinth supporting a pediment containing an inscription in Latin recording that, in 1562 CE, in the reign of King Dom Sebastiao (1557-1578 CE), this cathedral was ordered to be erected.

The main altar is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria. The richly gilded panel shows the martyrdom of the saint on either side of the nave; there are wooden statues of St. Paul and St. Peter. The projecting gallery to the right accommodates an organ. Below the projecting gallery are the seats for the canon and a throne for the archbishop.

Besides a large painting of St. Christopher hung beneath the choir, several paintings and gilded episodes over the walls draw attention.

Superintending Archaeologist, 

Goa Circle.

Ref:

Archaeological Survey of India display board.

LOCATION OF THE MONUMENT: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA--

Church of St. Francis of Assisi/ चर्च ऑफ़ संत फ्रांसिस ऑफ़ असीसी / Chapel of St. Francis Xavier/ St Francis Xavier's Basilica, UNESCO Monument, Old Goa, Goa.

This visit to the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Chapel of St. Francis Xavier, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, Old Goa, Goa, was a part of the Goa Heritage walk to the temples and Heritage sites, organised by Aatrupadai, from 5^th December 2025 to 7^th December 2025. Thanks to திருச்சி பார்த்தி for organising the Heritage walk.

Churches & Convents of Goa have been inscribed on the World Heritage List of the Convention concerning the protection of the world's cultural and natural heritage on October 20, 1986. Inscription on this list confirms the exceptional universal value of a cultural or natural site which deserves protection for the benefit of all humanity. This UNESCO monument comprises churches, which includes dilapidated Church of St. Augustine Ruins. The list of Monuments are… 

1. Basilica of Bom Jesus

2. Church of St. Augustine

3. Church of Our Lady of Rosary

4. Chapel of St. Catherine

5. Church of St. Francis of ASSISI

6. SE' Cathedral

7. Chapel of St. Cajetan.

THE CONVENT AND CHURCH OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

Built in 1661 C.E., this church is built of laterite blocks and is lime plastered. The church faces west and has a nave with three chapels on one side, a choir, two altars in the transept and a main altar. To the north of the main altar is a belfry and sacristy. The convent, which forms an annexe to the church, now houses the Archaeological Museum.

The exterior of the church is of the Tuscan order, while the main entrance is in the Manuline style. The main altar is baroque with Corinthian features. The main entrance is decorated with circular pilasters and a rosette band. The central nave is barrel vaulted, while the crossing is rib vaulted, which supports the choir. The internal buttress walls separating the chapels and supporting the gallery on top have frescoes showing intricate floral designs. Above the tabernacle in the main altar is a large statue of St. Francis of ASSISI and Jesus on the cross. On either side of the main altar in the nave are beautiful, large paintings on wood depicting scenes from the life of Christ.

Constructed in 1661 C.E., this church is built of laterite blocks and is lime plastered. The church faces west and has a nave with three chapels on one side, a choir, two altars in the transept and the main altar. A belfry and a sacristy are located to the north of the main altar of the convent, which forms an annexe to the church, and now houses the archaeological museum.

The exterior of the church is of the Tuscan order, while the main entrance is in Manueline style. The main altar is baroque with Corinthian features. The main entrance is decorated with circular pilasters and a rosette band. The central nave is barrel vaulted, while the crossing is rib vaulted, which supports the choir. Internal buttress walls separating the chapels and supporting the gallery on top are adorned with frescoes showing intricate floral designs. Above the tabernacle in the main altar is a large statue of St. Francis of Assisi and Jesus on the cross. On either side of the main altar in the nave, there are beautiful and large paintings on wood depicting scenes from the life of St. Francis of ASSISI.

Superintending Archaeologist

Goa Circle 

Ref:

Archaeological Survey of India display board.

LOCATION OF THE MONUMENT: CLICK HERE

Constructed with laterite stone, and the paint-peeled-off portion of the stone can be seen

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA--

Basilica of Bom Jesus/ बेसिलिका ऑफ बं येशू, UNESCO Monument Old Goa, Goa.

This visit to the Basilica of Bom Jesus, a UNESCO Monument, Old Goa, Goa, was a part of the Goa Heritage walk to the temples and Heritage sites, organised by Aatrupadai, from 5^th December 2025 to 7^th December 2025. Thanks to திருச்சி பார்த்தி for organising the Heritage walk.

Churches & Convents of Goa have been inscribed on the World Heritage List of the Convention concerning the protection of the world's cultural and Natural Heritage on October 20, 1986. Inscription on this list confirms the exceptional universal value of a cultural or natural site which deserves protection for the benefit of all humanity. This UNESCO monument comprises churches, which includes dilapidated Church of St. Augustine Ruins. The list of Monuments are… 

1. Basilica of Bom Jesus

2. Church of St. Augustine

3. Church of Our Lady of Rosary

4. Chapel of St. Catherine

5. Church of St. Francis of ASSISI

6. SE' Cathedral

7. Chapel of St. Cajetan.

BASILICA OF BOM JESUS

The construction of the “Basilica of Bom Jesus” began in 1594, and upon completion, it was consecrated in 1605. The church is cruciform on plan. Its three-storied façade has a main entrance flanked by two smaller entrances. The entire façade has moulded basalt casing and the remaining part is exposed in laterite. Inscribed at the top of the façade, the letters "IHS" symbolise the first three letters of Jesus in Greek.

As one enters the choir, the altar of St. Anthony is located to the right, and a wooden statue of St. Francis Xavier is kept to the left. On the northern wall of the Basilica of Bom Jesus, the cenotaph of Dom Jeronimo Mascarenhas, the benefactor of this church, is placed. In the corresponding wall, there is a profusely carved wooden pulpit with a canopy.

 

The main altar is flanked by altars of Our Lady of Hope and St. Michael. The richly gilded main altar has Bom (infant) Jesus, and a large statue of St. Ignatius Loyola with the "IHS" medallion is placed above the Bom Jesus.

The holy trinity of "the father, the son and the holy spirit" is depicted at the top of the main altar. The chapel on the northern side is dedicated to the "blessed sacrament, whereas that on the south side has sacred relics of the body of St. Francis Xavier. The interior of this chapel is adorned with scenes from the life of the saint. A corridor adjoining this chapel leads to the exquisitely carved wooden door of an oblong sacristy. The sacristy has a vaulted roof with an apse at the end. To the west of the sacristy, the cloister of the Basilica of Bom Jesus and the professed house are located.

Superintending Archaeologist, Goa Circle.

St. Francis Xavier's coffin

Ref:

Archaeological Survey of India display board.

THE LOCATION OF THE MONUMENT: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

St. Augustine Tower / एसटी. ऑगस्टीन टॉवर, Church of St. Augustine Ruins, UNESCO Monument, Old Goa, Goa.

This visit to the St. Augustine Tower, Church of St. Augustine Ruins, UNESCO Monument, Old Goa, Goa, was a part of the Goa Heritage walk to the temples and Heritage sites, organized by Aatrupadai, from 5^th December 2025 to 7^th December 2025. Thanks to திருச்சி பார்த்தி for organising the Heritage walk.

Churches & Convents of Goa have been inscribed on the World Heritage List of the Convention concerning the protection of the world's cultural and natural heritage on October 20, 1986. Inscription on this list confirms the exceptional universal value of a cultural or natural site which deserves protection for the benefit of all humanity. This UNESCO monument comprises churches, which includes dilapidated Church of St. Augustine Ruins. The list of Monuments are…  

1. Basilica of Bom Jesus

2. Church of St. Augustine

3. Church of Our Lady of Rosary

4. Chapel of St. Catherine

5. Church of St. Francis of ASSISI

6. SE' Cathedral

7. Chapel of St. Cajetan.

THE TOWER OF THE CHURCH OF St. AUGUSTINE.

This forty six metre high colossal-four storied, arched belfry tower, built of laterite, formed part of the facade of the church of St. Augustine, facing the ruins of eight chapels, four altars and extensive. A convent with numerous cells may be seen. This tower and church were built in 1602 by the St. Augustinian friars.

The church of Our Lady of grace popularly known as St. Augustine church is situated on the holy hill at Old Goa. This church belongs to the Augustinian order, which came to Goa and established its convent in 1572. Later, the College of Populo was added to it in 1602. The Portuguese government banned the religious order of the Augustinians in 1832, and by 1835, all the Augustinians were forced to leave Goa. The church was abandoned, and the huge vault collapsed in 1842; its architectural members were auctioned off by the government in 1845.

Its facade and towers fell down in 1931 and in 1938. It was the largest church complex with a seminary, a convent, a library, cloisters, dormitories, galleries and many cells. Different travellers have quoted about the grandeur of the church. The discovery of relics of Queen Saint Ketevan (from Georgia, south of Russia) was also a noteworthy discovery of the excavations carried out at this site in 2004.

Friars of the Augustinian order arrived in Goa in 1572 and built a small convent on holy hill, and later it was enlarged. The convent building has three storey provided with two large stone staircases leading to the floors above. On entering the convent, there were two cloisters, corridors, pillars, galleries, halls having numerous rooms, a refectory (dining hall), a guest house and an infirmary (first aid), which were very spacious. It also had vast dormitories and numerous cells and other structures, which are now in ruins.

The Archaeology Survey of India has been carrying out scientific clearance of the ruins since 1998 and simultaneous conservation of the site. The results are clearly evident on comparison with shots taken in the film Gumnam (1970's) where the title song was pictured.

Ref:

Archaeological Survey of India display board.

LOCATION OF THE MONUMENT: CLICK HERE

Underground passage

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA--