Excursion Churches of old goa tour at Mormugao

Once the capital of Portuguese Goa, the Old Town remains the spiritual heart of the territory and is renowned for its baroque churches and convents, all UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Tourists come from all over to admire the imposing façades and gilt altars of beautifully preserved churches; pilgrims come to see the tomb of St. Francis Xavier in the Basilica of Bom Jesus.

This tour provides an introduction to Old Goa and Panjim.

From Marmugao port, a 50-minute drive brings you to Old Goa, where your first stop is at the Basilica of Bom Jesus.

Basilica of Bom Jesus

Whilst the church is a fine example of Jesuit architecture with its heavily decorated interior, Bom Jesus is visited mainly for the precious relic it contains. Here worshipers or the simply curious can view the body of Saint Francis Xavier. The remains of the renowned 16th-century missionary are enshrined in a dazzling silver casket. The surrounding chapel, constructed of marble and jasper, was the gift of one of the last Medici. The elaborate tomb is an ironic final resting place for a man who ardently refused such splendour throughout his life.

Se Cathedral

Also known as St. Catherine's Cathedral, the Se was commissioned to be "a grandiose church worth of the wealth, power and fame of the Portuguese who dominated the seas from the Atlantic to the Pacific." It is still larger than any church in Portugal. Its exterior is in Tuscan style, with one remaining tower containing the "Golden Bell", which was rung during the Inquisition to announce the public torture and burning of suspected heretics. The gilded, ornate main alter is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria; paintings depict scenes from her life and martyrdom.

Church of St. Cajetan

Not far away is the Church of St. Cajetan, modelled on St. Peter's in Rome. Behind its neo-classical façade is an interior that is pure, unrestrained baroque. Hidden beneath the church is a crypt where the embalmed bodies of Portuguese governors were kept in lead coffins before they were shipped back to Lisbon. Forgotten for a time, the last batch was removed only in 1992.

On your way back to the port, your drive takes you through the Panjim city area, Goa's bustling capital.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Old Goa, Basilica of Bom Jesus, St. Catherine's Cathedral, Church of St. Cajetan, Panjim City

Note

Please note: This tour involves moderate walking among the churches, which are all fairly close together.  This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. Appropriate dress is required for the church visits (no shorts/exposed knees  or bare shoulders). We recommend bringing sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. Guests are advised that infrastructure is basic and local conditions may be challenging: coaches, guides, hotels, restaurants, equipment, and services are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of those found on other excursions therefore, we urge flexibility and understanding.