Basilica of Bom Jesus, Church building, Churches of Goa

3-Star Hotels in Goa


Home » Churches of Goa » Basilica of Bom Jesus

Basilica of Bom Jesus
	About Basilica of Bom Jesus: Basilica of Bom Jesus is one of the most sacred and the most popular churches in Goa. Comprising the relics of St. Francis Xavier, Patron saint of Goa, Apostle of the Indies and for most Goans " Goencho Saib " Basilica of Bom Jesus is one of the oldest church of Goa. The historical data reveals that the construction of the Church began in the year 1594 with the support of the funds that was left by Dom Jeronimos Mascarenhas and was sanctified by the Archbishop Dom Fr. Aleixo de Menezes, in the year 1605. First of its kind , Basilica of Bom Jesus attained the status of a minor Basilica in the year 1946.

Church building:
The church building is a complete blend of the Doric, Corinthian and composite style architecture. There is a three storey west facing facade. Built of black laterite stone, about 78 1/2 feet high and 75 3/5 feet broad the structure is magnificent and simply brilliant. The facade can be classified into four divisions which are:

The lowest having the three elegant portals
The part just above having three large windows that corresponds the three portals
The third part above has three circular windows
The fourth part forms a quadrangle that is richly decorated.

Pillars and carvings adorns all the portion of the structure and have intricate details as well. The interior of Basilica of Bom Jesus is noticeable for its simplicity yet remarkable grandeur. The length is about 182 4/5 feet, its breadth 55 1/2 feet and its height 61 1/3 feet. There are three windows on each side rising one above the other. The body of the Basilica is quite spacious. The construction of the Basilica ends on each side in a chapel. There is the Blessed Sacrament guarded by a huge arch with pillars to the left of the Chapel. The remains of St. Francis Xavier were kept in this chapel from 1623-1655. There is a main altar that is about 54 feet high and 30 1/5 feet broad and is devoted to the Infant Jesus. Exquisitely decorated in gold ,the depiction of the Infant Jesus in the protected arms of St Ignatius of Loyola , the founder of the Society of Jesus is truly an amazing work of art. The statue of St. Ignatius measures nearly 3 meters high. The church is worth a visit and has been one of the Popular Tourist Attractions in Goa.

goatravelandhotels.com provides you with information on Basilica of Bom Jesus, to know more about the other tourist attractions in Goa, simply keep browsing the site !

Churches of Goa

Basilica of Bom Jesus

The Church of our Lady of the Rosary

The Church of Mae de Deus

Church and Convent of Saint Monica

Se Cathedral

The Church of St. Alex

Convent and Church of St. Francis Assisi