Religious/ Spiritual

Church and Convent of St. Francis of Assisi

Location

Built for the Franciscan friars in 1521 and reconstructed in 1661, the Church and Convent of St. Francis of Assisi is one of the most interesting buildings in Old Goa. The structure is built of laterite blocks and is lime-plastered. The building has gilded and carved woodwork and old murals which depict scenes from the life of St. Francis. The exterior of the Church is in the Tuscan style while the main entrance is in the Manuline style. The Convent which forms an annexure to the Church was converted to an Archaeological Museum in 1964.

Church of the Holy Spirit

Location

Church of the Holy Spirit at Margao is positioned in the town square in the old market area. The revered place is also known as Largo De Igreja and was constructed by Jesuit missionaries in 1564.

In series of historic events, the church was destroyed in 1571 and was erected again in 1645. Church attractions are the richly decorated altars dedicated to Immaculate Conception of Mary. Consecrated in 1675, the church has pristine white façade of Indian Baroque artwork.

Swiss Chapel

Location

Located quiet close to the Municipal Building on the Jerome Road, this chapel has a charming cream and blue coloured wooden altar and shrine. The Holy Cross feast is held in the beginning of Lent. This is just 9 days before the Goa Carnival begins.

Church of Our Lady of Miracles

Location

This is also known by the name of St Jerome's Church. Located on St Jerome's road, the history of the church can be traced back to the year 1594. It was during this year that the church was first built. Thereafter, numerous reconstruction work have been carried out in the church. The last of such work was done in the year 1961, when a devastating fire caused immense harm to the church building. The church has some interesting architectural elements to grasp your attention like the gabled facade. However, the popularity of the church is more because of its feasts.

Church Square

Location

This is another hotspot for visitors to Margao. Also known as the Largo da Igreja, the Church Square has the Church of Holy Spirit as its prime attraction. The church was initially constructed by the Jesuits in 1564, however very soon, the army of Adil Shah marched in and destroyed it. Repairs were carried out much later and took around 30 years to complete. Today, the church is considered one of the best example of the Indian Baroque. Both the interior and exterior of the church is worth seeing.

Rachol Seminary

Location

This Seminary can be visited if you are in a mood to travel a bit. This seminary is located at a distance of 8 km from the town itself and is perched at the top of a hillock. The history of church reveals a lot. Evidence suggest, that there was a Shaivite temple here initially. However, later on a Muslim fort was constructed on the same place. Still later, the fort fell into the hands of the Portuguese who built a church here in the year 1521. The remnants of the fort can be seen in the form of the moat and a gate.

Convent and Church of St. Monica

Location

Just before the Church of Our Lady the Rosary on Holy Hill is the Church and Convent of St. Monica. The construction of the Church and Convent was commenced in 1606 and completed in 1627. This royal monastery is a huge three-storeyed building of laterite which was originally lime-plastered and is now plastered with cement. The church in the monastery is dedicated to St. Mary.

Tower of Church of St. Augustine

Location

The Church was built in 1602 for the Augustinian friars who arrived in Goa in 1587. Due to religious suppression in 1835, the Augustinians deserted the church and monastery. The vault collapsed in 1842 followed by the facade and half of the tower in 1931. Some more parts of the church collapsed in 1938. The church was dedicated to Our Lady of Grace, and all that's left to see today is the belfry of the tower that is nearly 46 m high.