The churches of Panjim

by Luxury Hotels Luxury Hotels

Stay in the best luxury hotels in Panjim to make the most of your trip. Make sure to visit the churches, landmarks of history and culture, in Panjim to have a well-rounded trip. Read our blog for a list of some of the most famous churches in Goa.

One of the most relaxed cities in India, Panjim, also known as Panaji, is the capital of the tiny state of Goa. Panaji crowds around the peninsula, overlooking cruise boats and floating casinos on the wide Mandovi river. Neon reflections cast by advertising signs can be seen in the night.

The animated city centre is loomed over by a glorious whitewashed church, the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. It is the geographical as well as the spiritual centre of Panaji. Surrounding the banks of the Mandovi River is a grand leafy boulevard. Old-school bookshops, quirky boutiques, backstreet bars, state-of-the-art malls and buildings built in the colonial-era rub shoulders with some of the best 5-star hotels in South Goa.

The Latin Quarter with its narrow streets is the main attraction here. This is where the Portuguese influence is seen the most. Yellow houses with purple doors light up when the late afternoon sun is at its peak. Around each corner are mansions with terracotta-tiled roofs, wrought-iron windows, and windows decorated with oyster shells. The Portuguese influence is also prominently seen in the churches in and around Panjim. The same can be said for luxury hotels in Panjim.

Some of the most famous churches are:

Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

This elevated pearly white church was built in 1619. It was built over an older and smaller chapel which was built in 1540 and was stacked like a grand white wedding cake. This church served as the first port of call for sailors from Lisbon, who would give thanks for crossing. They would then continue on to Ela (Old Goa) further up the river. This was when Panjim was just a sleepy little fishing town. The Church is beautiful at night when it is illuminated.

Basilica De Bom Jesus

The imposing Basilica De Bom Jesus Church is famous throughout the Roman Catholic world, as it contains the tomb and mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, more popularly known as the Apostle of the Indies. His missionary voyages in the East are well-known. His ‘incorruptible’ body lies in a mausoleum to the right of the church, in a glass coffin amid an abundance of gilt stars.

The construction of the Basilica began in 1594 and was completed in 1604. The structure is an elaborate late Renaissance facade. This is the only church in Goa which is not plastered by limestone on the outside, having been stripped off by a Portuguese conservationist in 1950.

St Sebastian Chapel

Among the few churches in Goa that still remain true to their colonial decree, St Sebastian Chapel is a popular tourist attraction. The crucifix, originally placed in the Palace of Inquisition, is said to have magical powers. The Chapel is also known as Pandava’s Chapel, as it has been speculated that the Pandavas resided in a nearby cave while they were in exile.

While Goa is more famous for its party culture, the churches of Goa deserve the same amount of attention, if not more. Landmarks of history and culture, make sure to visit the churches in South Goa to have a well-rounded trip.