Basilica Of Bom Jesus

Stroll Around The Oldest Church Of Goa – Basilica Of Bom Jesus

Located in Old Goa, Basilica Of Bom Jesus is a vivid example that holds both historical and architectural value. This iconic landmark is an up-and-running spot to worship Jesus since the day it was built in 1605 A.D.

The Basilica houses the tomb of St.Francis Xavier, the patron saint of Goa. The name “Bom Jesus” or “Good Jesus” was given by Alexio De Menezes because of a vow originally made by the Portuguese sailors.

Entering the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Basilica Of Bom Jesus Goa is also one of the top-visited places in Goa today.

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History Of The Oldest Church In Goa

The history of Basilica Of Bom Jesus in Goa goes back to the 16th century when Portugal was ruled by King D. Joao III. The present church, with its unique pyramidal roof and a belfry of five storeys, dates back to the 17th century, during the terms with Archbishop Alexio Noronha.

Archaeologists found a number of relics including great artistic value such as crosiers, patens, chalices and crosses during the excavation of this church in 1540. The findings testify Portuguese conquest over Goa. However, they were later put on display in a special section of the museum which was inaugurated by the Archbishop on 8th December 1987.

The first Church of Bom Jesus was built by the Franciscans in 1595 and, as a mark of gratitude for their safe arrival at Goa, they inscribed a sentence on a stone tablet over the entrance gate. “A Devoçao De Nossa Senhora Da Saude E A Arvore Da Vida Novo Mundo,” meaning built in the year 1535, to the devotion of our lady of health and for life in a new world. The inscription incidentally is still present on the façade of the west door.

In 1604, the Archbishop of Goa initiated plans for a larger church. When the foundations of the new church were being dug, some beautiful pieces of 9th-century sculpture was unearthed and kept deposited in the Archeological Museum at Old Goa.

The Architecture of Basilica of Bom Jesus

The Basilica of Bom Jesus church in Old Goa holds a prominent place in Portuguese colonial history in India with its architecture. This alluring church dates back to the 17th century. The present building was designed by Portuguese architect Julião Simão and Domingos Fernandes.

The interior of the church is filled with a vast collection of artistic works and comprises a central nave and side aisles. It is considered a real treasure in terms of colonial Indian art. The central roof is bordered by small Latin crosses, each facing one of the principal points or directions. The altarpiece is the epitome of architectural design and is unique in its kind. The Basilica also boasts of many profusely painted walls, ceilings and pillars done by artists from Italy.

The outer area of the basilica of Bom Jesus is decorated with carved elements such as pilasters, medallions and swags. Stucco work is done on the surface to produce ornamental designs on parapets, cornices, doorways etc. The church also possesses some fine silver and gold artefacts which were seized by Afonso de Albuquerque from Malacca in 1511 after defeating the king.

Essential Information

How To Reach Basilica Of Bom Jesus

From Bus Stand

There are around 15 bus stands in Goa from which Mapusa Bus Stand and Margao City Bus Stand are the nearest to the church. Travelling to Basilica of Bom Jesus via bus is the cheapest mode of transport, costing between INR 45 to INR 70 for a one-way ride.

From Railway Station

Goa has around 19 railway stations from which Karmali railway station, Dabolim station and Thivim station are the nearest to Basilica of Bom Jesus. One can opt for taxis and buses outside the railway station to reach the church.

From Panaji

The distance between the Basilica of Bom Jesus and Panaji is 12 km which takes around 20 minutes to reach. The cheapest way to cover this distance is by bus costing not more than INR 40. However, you may also hire a taxi for a quick drive to the Basilica of Bom Jesus from Panaji.

From Goa International Airport

The Basilica of Bom Jesus church is 24.1 km away from the Goa International Airport. Both buses and taxis are available from the airport that will take you to the church. It is a drive of  28 minutes to 35 minutes. The easiest and most recommended way to reach the church from the airport is by hiring a taxi from the airport, costing you somewhere between INR 590 to INR 750.

Best Time To Visit Basilica of Bom Jesus

The best time to explore the beauty of the Basilica of Bom Jesus church Goa is from October to March. The weather during this time period is just fantastic to stroll around and walk to the entrance of this stunning church. The average temperature in Goa during these months clocks between 23 degrees Celsius to 19 degrees Celsius. The magnificence and beauty of this church is best experienced during bright sunny days, displaying a detailed exterior. Just make sure to visit the church from Monday to Sunday. However, the Basilica of Bom Jesus timings might be different for both weekdays and weekends.

Places Not To Miss Near Basilica Of Bom Jesus

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is undoubtedly beautiful, but there is much more to experience when it comes to exploring Goa beyond beaches. Here we are listing some of the places that will excite you near the classical Basilica of Bom Jesus Church.

1. Old Goa: Just 180 metres away from the beautiful Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa is a lively place to party, stroll around and savour delicious Goan cuisine. A lot of stunning and colourful buildings can be seen in Old Goa, clearly reflecting Colonial and Portuguese architecture. The striking roads and incredible people can make your trip to Old Goa even more interesting. Do not forget to relish the famous “Ambot Tik”, a curry made of fish, prawns, and shrimps whenever in Old Goa. Read more
2. Catholic Church of St. Francis of Assisi: Around 400 metres distant from the Basilica church, the Catholic Church of St. Francis of Assisi is a significant example of archaeology. This church was established in 1517 by 8 Portuguese Franciscan friars and today it is listed as one of the important landmarks of Goa. Also, being a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Church of St. Francis of Assisi is one of the few locations to visit near the Basilica of Bom Jesus. The rich interior and astonishing exterior of the church is definitely going to leave you spellbound. 
3. Se Cathedral: Se Cathedral is 5-minute walking distance from the Basilica of Bom Jesus ie. just 240 metres. One of the well-preserved and largest churches in Asia, Se Cathedral is a must-to visit landmark whenever you are near the Basilica of Bom Jesus church. It is a majestic place all wrapped in rich Iberian architecture and white marble. The interiors of the church are beautified with wooden carvings, colonial paintings, and high ceilings. A perfect place to take a quick dose of history, Se Cathedral also comes under the list of UNESCO Heritage Sites. 
4. The Archaeological Museum: Elevated in 1964, the Archaeological Museum is one of the major museum venues of Old Goa, displaying historical paintings of the past leaders and government officials. This beautiful landmark is loaded with wooden sculptures, portrait paintings and tall pillars. You can also find precious objects on display such as postal stamps, coins, currency, metal figures and much more, belonging to the Portuguese era in Goa.  This museum stays open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.  So, you can plan your trip accordingly. 
5. Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception: Just 18 minutes away with a distance of 9.5 km from the Basilica of Bom Jesus, the Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception is one blissful landmark of Panaji. This iconic church is also covered by many Bollywood movies which are been filmed in Goa. The fine Baroque architecture jumbled with the impression of Portuguese and Goa culture. This excellent landmark is all coloured in white with the zig-zag stairs. The church was incorporated in 1541 and remains one of the popular landmarks of Goa till date.