This red-stone structure is the last resting place of St. Francis Xavier, Goa’s patron saint. In 1541, the saint embarked on a mission to right the sinful lifestyles of Goa’s Portugese colonials. He ended up in a glass-sided coffin.
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Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Old Goa
This 1661 church was built over a 16th century chapel. It’s not been kept up, but you can still see the extravagant woodwork, murals depicting the life of St. Francis, frescoes of elaborate flowers and angels and Portugese tombstones.
Sé Cathedral of Santa Catarina, Old Goa
This is not only the largest church in India, but in all of Asia. Construction began in 1562 under Portugese King Dom Sebastião’s orders to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese over a Muslim army, which resulted in Goa’s capture. Since the day of the victory fell on the feast of Saint Catherine, the cathedral […]
Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Panjim
Some church! The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is an enormous white wedding cake of a church smack in the middle of town. It was built in 1540, back when Panjim was a sleepy fishing village and the first port of call for Portugese sailors, who would then worship here after a […]
Daria Daulat Bagh
Or, summer palace. This structure was built in 1784 and was constructed atop a raised stone plinth. Teak pillars run along the edge, enclosing an exterior corridor. Practically every inch of the interior is covered with paintings depicting Hyder Ali’s and Tipu Sultan’s victories over the British and courtly life as well as lavish floral […]
Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple
This temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Ranganatha, a manifestation of Vishnu. The presiding deity is a statue of Ranganatha reclining on a huge multiple-hooded serpent, Sesha. This very important Vaishnavite shrine was built by the Gangas in 894 AD. To see the statue, you’ll have to go inside. I was too distracted by […]
Colonel Bailey’s Dungeon
This vaulted brick-and-mortar dungeon was where Tipu Sultan held captured British soldiers. Or, rather, chained captured British soldiers to the interior stone slabs. The structure was named after prisoner Colonel Bailey who died here in 1782.
Gumbaz
Best son ever? Tipu Sultan built this tomb and mosque as a tribute to his father, Hyder Ali (1722-1784), after his death. The pillared, domed structure is typical of Isalmic architecture and was constructed on a stone plinth amidst a manicured garden. The interior chamber was painted with the tiger stripes associated with Tipu. Today, […]
Lal Mahal Palace
Really, the ruins of Tipu’s former palace. Per British historians’ and travelers’ accounts, it was once quite stunning. The library was particularly impressive; after killing Tipu Sultan, the British soldiers brought the rare manuscripts and books once contained therein to England. The palace was dismantled between 1807-1809 AD. Excavations revealed a sophisticated system of underground […]
Jamia Masjid
This mosque was built by Tipu Sultan in 1787 AD and is a mix of Hindu and Islamic architecture. It’s in pretty sad shape now, but you can imagine the grandeur of centuries past. The main features are the two majestic minarets adorned with floral cornices and parapets. Climb a staircase to the top for […]
