Goa Information Blog

Basilica of Bom Jesus goa

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is famous throughout the Roman Catholic world since it contains the tomb and mortal remains of St.Francis Xavier who, in 1541, was given the task of spreading Christianity among the subjects of the Portuguese colonies in the east. A former pupil of St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit Order, St. Francis Xavier made missionary voyages in the east that became a legend.

Apart from the richly gilded altars, the interior of the church is remarkable for its simplicity, and this is the only church which is not plastered on the outside. It was commenced in 1594 and completed in 1605. The centre of interest inside the church is, of course, the tomb of St. Francis, the construction of which was underwritten by the Duke of Tuscany and executed by Florentine sculptor Giovanni Batista Foggini. It took 10 years to build and was completed in 1698. The remains of the body are housed in a silver casket which at one time was covered in jewels. On the walls surrounding it are murals depicting scenes from the saint’s journeys, including on his death on the Sancian Island.

Next door to the Basilica is a two-storeyed laterite building covered with lime plaster which was completed in 1585 despite much opposition to the Jesuits. Part of the building burned down in 1663 but was rebuilt in 1783. There’s a modern art gallery attached to the Basilica.

Timings : Sunday 10:00 to 18:30 hours. Weekdays : 09:00 to 18:30 hours.