Fast Facts
Location : Old Goa, 9 kms away from Panaji
Year of Construction : 1594
Style of Architecture : Italian Renaissance with Baroque
Timings : Open between 6 am to 6.30 pm.
About the Church
If you are planning a trip to Goa, you must include the 'Basilica De Bom
Jesus' in your itinerary, because your journey is incomplete without
visiting this important Goan church. Dedicated to 'Bom Jesus' meaning 'good
Jesus' or 'infant Jesus', the church stands as a witness to a landmark event
in the Christian history.
According to Latin records, the construction of this church was started on
24th November 1594 and Fr. Aleixo de Menezes, the Archbishop of Goa,
consecrated it on 15th May 1605, when it was completed. Basilica De Bom
Jesus was elevated to the status of minor Basilica in the year 1946, and
today ranks amongst the most popular churches of the world. Due to its
historical significance and unmatched beauty, Basilica De Bom Jesus has been
declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Adjacent to the basilica is the Professed House, which was built in 1589
for the Jesuits. Professed house is a two-storeyed laterite building with
lime plaster, a part of this building was burnt down in 1663 and
reconstructed in 1783. Recently on the northern side of the church flying
buttresses were added. A modern art gallery, called the Bom Jesus Church art
gallery, is also attached to the church, which is the first and biggest art
gallery in Asia. Basilica De Bom Jesus organizes a sound and light show
based on the lives of Jesus Christ, Blessed Joseph Vaz and St. Francis
Xavier.
Architecture of the Church
A fine specimen of Jesuit architecture, the design of Basilica De Bom Jesus
was inspired by the Church of St. Paul, which is now in ruins. Built of
laterite, the church is cruciform on plan having a tiled roof. The exterior
of the church, excepting the facade was lime plastered which was
subsequently removed. The three-storeyed facade of Basilica De Bom Jesus,
with delicately carved basalt embellishments is one of the richest in Goa.
The facade is a visual delight for your eyes and its Ionic, Doric and
Corinthian columns depict the fine use of classical orders, in the
Renaissance style. At the top of the facade you can see an intricately
carved basalt medallion which depicts the emblem of the society of Jesus. As
the facade follows the Baroque style, the layout of the basilica with its
single rectangular nave follows the Renaissance style. In the ground floor
of the basilica you will see three portals, on the first floor there are
three corresponding long windows while on the second floors are three
circular windows.
Interior of the Church
Just above the entrance of church, you will see a choir supported by
columns. As you enter inside the church, its Mosaic Corinthian style
interior will mesmerize you. Your eyes will suddenly fix on the grand marble
floor of the church, which is adorned with precious stones. The interior of
the church has two chapels, a main altar, a sacristy and a belfry at the
back. A projecting gallery runs on the sides, which was made for the use of
dignitaries on special occasions. Apart from these, the church also has a
rich collection of paintings related to various instances from the life of
St. Francis Xavier.
As you enter, beneath the choir, to your right is an altar of St. Anthony
and to your left is an exceptionally well-carved wooden statue of St.
Francis Xavier. In the middle of the nave on the northern wall is the
cenotaph of Dom Jeronimo Mascarenhas, who was the benefactor of this church.
Opposite the cenotaph, on the southern wall is a richly carved wooden pulpit
having a canopy on top. When you reach at the end of the nave, there is the
main altar which is flanked by two nicely decorated altars in transept, one
dedicated to St. Michael and the other to Our Lady of Hope.
The profusely gilded main altar has a statue of infant Jesus. Just above
this statue, there is a large statue of St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the
society of Jesus. In the north of the transept is the Chapel of the Blessed
Sacrament while on the southern side there is a chapel with gilded columns
and floral decorations in wood.
