You can rush visit Old Goa to immerse yourself in a quaint southern European feel. You can explore this part of Goa in two or three hours or repeated visits over a few days. A territory that captivates tourists with its calm, incredible structures included by enormous swathes of green scenes; this and a lot more awaits you in Old Goa.
Now look at these 10 quaint Old Goan gems.
Basilica of Bom Jesus
Commended all through the Roman Catholic world, the Basilica of Bom Jesus contains the tomb and mortal stays of St Francis Xavier, the implied Apostle of the Indies. Yes, you heard that right!
Viceroy Arch
Image source: http://www.itsgoa.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Viceroys_Arch-1.jpg
The most noteworthy point of the arch has a statue of Vasco Da Gama, with a knife in his right hand. Francisco Da Gama on becoming the Viceroy, ordered to erect the statue of his great grandfather on it, which is worth an observation.
Se Cathedral
Se Cathedral is dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria in present day Egypt. She transformed into a Christian at 14 years of age and changed more than a few people to Christianity before being martyred at the energetic age of 18 by the then sovereign.
Archeological Museum
Part of the Franciscan house at the back of the Church of St Francis of Assisi is right now an archeological display, holding up some lovely areas of models from Hindu sanctuaries in Goa, and some Sati stones, which once indicated the spot where a Hindu woman was set fire on the funeral pyre of her husband.
Chapel of Our Lady of Mount
Image source: http://goa-tourism.com/GTDC-holidays/images/our-lady-of-the-mount.jpg
It is one of the oldest holy places in Old Goa and is dedicated to Virgin Mary. The compound of the chapel offers amazing viewpoints of the river Mandovi, the adjoining Divar Island and of Old Goa itself.
Church & Convent of St. Monica
Image source: http://www.puebla-mexico.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/AAP-ExConventSM.jpg
The main purpose of a visit here is to look at the “wonderful” cross behind the high holy place, said to have opened its eyes in 1636, when blood started to trickle from its crown of thistles.
Museum of Christian Art
This amazing historical center contains a gathering of statues, compositions and figures, however, the setting warrants a visit in its own privilege. Interestingly, a considerable lot of works on display here, were created by local Hindu specialists.
Wax World
This wax works brags of many ‘Life-Size Look-Alike Wax Statues’, including a full, waxen rendition of Michelangelo’s Last Supper.
Kristu Kala Mandir Art Gallery
Image source: http://planetgoaonline.com/images/photo_gallery/431.jpg
This gallery is situated in what used to be the diocese supervisor’s home, and contains a mishmash gathering of contemporary Christian workmanship and religious items.
Ruins of the Church of St. Augustine
Image source: http://gomowgli.in/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/ChurchOfStAugustine-RuinsGoa-1024×768.jpg
All that is left today of the Church of St Augustine is the 46m-high tower, which served as a spire and shaped part of the congregation’s veneer. The couple of different leftovers are gagged with creepers and weeds, making your way through them rather troublesome.
For a history buff, all these would work like a charm. Chapels are known to have numerous mysteries and legends shrouded under them, and historians and enthusiasts love digging such pieces. So once you get down at the Vasco Da Gama station, the nearest railway station to Goa, shuffle through your list and start with your exciting Old Goan exploration. Have fun!