Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa

The church Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa is around 400 years old, its foundation was laid in the year 1594 on 24th November and it was completed by 1605. The structure is a brilliant blend of vintage architecture and modern renovation which made it into one of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Site.

Quick Glance

Basilica of Bom Jesus

Location: Old Goa, India

Timing: 09:00 am - 06:30 pm

Except on Sunday: 10:30 am - 06:30 pm

The time required: 1-2 Hours

Entry fee: None

Best time to visit Goa:

Winter (November, December, January, February)

Monsoons (June, July, August, September)

Summer (March, April, May & October)

The Overview of Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa

The Basilica Bom Jesus Church is one of the best places to explore in Goa, the entire architecture will give a close glimpse of the baroque architecture. The exemplary structure of this church is one of a kind and receives visitors from around the world throughout the year. This church is situated in the Old Goa which is around 10km (6.2mi) away from Panjim. The fact that there are very few churches that stood the test of time and this church is one of them. Even after 400 years, the church stays in good condition; it perfectly stood the test of time. The site is very famous for its rich culture and religious significance, due to which this site is known as one of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.

The Goa Basilica of Bom Jesus is the only one in the Old Goa side that has been plastered from the outside. The facade is said to have a rectangular roof with intricate carvings. The interior of this church is done with marble mosaic which is believed to be carried out with precious stones. The interior also has a brilliant image of the infant Jesus which runs from the floor to the ceiling. The flooring and the ceiling of the church are extremely beautiful. The core beauty of this church lies in the main image of the Holy Trinity, which is an important belief of Christianity.

The Architecture of the Church

• Only the gilded altars are the exception in this church, the rest of the architecture of the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa is done with a very simple structure.

• You will find the façade of the church built with black granite and it’s an amalgamation of composite styles, Doric, and Corinthian. The height of the church is around 61 feet with carved pillars done with basalt.

A Baroque Architectural Style

• The interior of the Church is inspired by the Mosaico-Corinthian style of architecture. The main entrance looks beautiful and you will love the two chapels that lie beside the belfry at its back.

• There is an altar of St. Anthony lies in the right while on the left side you will find a remarkable St. Francis Xavier statue.

• There are figures of Jesus engraved on the three sides, four evangelists, and four doctors of the church, while the bottom of the pulpit depicts the seven figures.

• The two decorated altar is dedicated to St. Michael and Our Lady of Hope.

• You will find a statue of St. Ignatius Loyola which overlooks another statue of baby Jesus. On top of the medallion, there is an inscription that depicts the Holy Trinity- the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

• The chapel located on the southern side of the church is the only one that contains twisted columns made out of gold and wood.

• The church also has a relic of St. Francis Xavier along with a beautiful statue in front of the cenotaph.

• There are incredible carvings and paintings that depict the life of the saint along with a pretty looking statue in front of the casket.

• There are other depictions that portray the life of the saint; the casket inside the church is divided on either side into seven different panels.

• The silver casket that contains the sacred relic has brilliant carvings and was said to have been studded with precious stones in the early days.

Modern Art Gallery

Apart from the brilliant interior and attractive exterior of the Goa Basilica of Bom Jesus church, the complex also houses an art gallery. This gallery is said to be the largest in the continent. It exhibits some of the exquisite paintings done between 1973 and 1976. The two famous paintings on display in the art gallery are 'Genesis' (4ft x 28ft), and 'The Last Judgement' (6ft x 9ft). It’s a great place for people willing to explore ancient history.

Splendid Church

Relics in Basilica of Bom Jesus

Useful Information

If you hate crowd and would like to travel peacefully without much interference, then you must plan your trip in the off-season. The monsoon hits Goa by the end or mid of June and that can be an appropriate time to visit. The off-season is basically between May - September, however, May is unbearable because of humidity and heat. You can try and visit at the starting of the monsoon because the rain cools down the temperature.

How to Reach?

Basilica of Bom Jesus is located in the Old Goa in Bainguinim. The church is around 10km (6.2 miles) away from Panjim. The roadways are quite convenient and you can hire a cab from the bus stand of Panjim or hire rental to get to the church. The place is in a 20-25 min distance from Panjim.

Road: The church in the Old Goa is around 500 km (3.1 miles) away from Mumbai to Pune.

Air: The International Airport of Goa-Dabolim Airport is around 24.1 km (14.9 miles) away from the church. You can hire a cab or take any public transport to reach the church easily.

Rail: The closest Railway station to the church is the Madgaon Railway Station. You will have to cover a distance of around 35.1 km (21.8 miles), and it is easily covered via hired cabs and buses.

These are some of the easiest routes to take when you are visiting Goa. The transportation routes are well-connected with most of the major surrounding cities, so you won’t face issues while traveling to the Basilica of Bom Jesus.