Old Goa

Basilica of Bom Jesus Goa

The Basilica of Bom Jesus stands as an enduring symbol of Goa's rich spiritual and colonial history. Located in Old Goa, the former capital of Portuguese India, this 16th-century monument is one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Asia. 'Bom Jesus' literally translates to 'Good Jesus' or 'Infant Jesus', to whom the church is dedicated.Stepping inside the basilica, visitors are greeted by marble flooring, gilded altars, and an atmosphere charged with centuries of devotion. The highlight of the monument is the ornate glass-sided silver casket resting atop a grand mausoleum, which preserves the mortal remains of Saint Francis Xavier, co-founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Every ten years, the sacred relics are brought down for public veneration during a major exposition attracting millions of pilgrims worldwide.Unlike many other churches in Goa whose facades are coated in white lime plaster, the exterior of the Basilica of Bom Jesus features exposed black granite stone, lending it a distinctive rustic elegance that contrasts beautifully with its opulent, gold-leafed interior ornamentation.