The Se Cathedral in Old Goa built in Portuguese- Gothic style of architecture is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria. It is also known as Chapel of St Catherine and St Catherine’s Cathedral. Constructed between 1562 - 1640, it is the largest church in Old Goa and the largest in Asia with a barrel vaulted ceiling. It took nearly 80 years to complete the church. The church is the prestigious seat of the archdiocese of Goa. The cathedral has eight chapels and fifteen altars dedicated to several identities like Our Lady of Hope, Our Lady of Anguish and Our Lady of Three Needs and so on. The main altar has carved frames depicting scenes from the life of St. Catherine and a majestic crucifix. On the right, is the chapel of the Cross of Miracles, where a vision of Christ is said to have appeared in 1919. The cathedral tower house has a huge bell known as the Golden Bell.

Basilica of Bom Jesus

Basilica of Bom Jesus is a fine example of Jesuit architecture and has emerged as a landmark in the history of Christianity. This world renowned church which contains the body of St. Francis Xavier is located in Old Goa, 10kms east of Panaji. The saint, was a pupil of the soldier- turned - saint, Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Order of Jesuits. The foundation stone of the church was laid on 1594 and was completed in the year 1605. In 1946 the church was raised to the status of a minor Basilica. Read more...

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Church of St Francis of Assisi

The Convent and Church of St Francis of Assisi is located to the west of Se Cathedral, Old Goa. The church which have been constructed in 1517-1521 AD, was demolished and rebuilt in 1661 retaining only the exquisitely carved old gate made of black stone. The architecture is a blend of the Tuscan style on the exterior and the mosaic-Corinthian style on the interior. The church displays decorative paintwork and woodcarving and the floor is inlaid with elaborately engraved tombstones depicting scenes from the life of St. Francis. The convent at the back of the church which has been started in 1517 by Franciscan friars was converted to an archaeological museum.

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Church of St. Cajetan

The church of St.Cajetan in Old Goa, is located about 1/2 kms to the north east of the Se Cathedral. Built in 1661 by the Italian friars of the Theatine order, it is said to have been modeled on the original design of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The church is dedicated to Our Lady of Divine Providence, but was named after St. Cajetan, founder of the Theatine order and a contemporary of St Francis Xavier. The entire church is built of laterite blocks and plastered with lime. It has two towers on either side to serve as belfry. Besides the main altar there are six altars, three on each side of the church.

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Shri Mangesh Temple, Priol

Shri Mangesh Temple, also known as Mangireesh, Manguesh or Mangueshi, is one among the famous temples in Goa. Dedicated to Mangueshi - an incarnation of Lord Shiva, this temple on a hillock is located at Priol in Ponda taluka, about 21 kms from Panaji. To avoid destruction by the Portuguese, devotees shifted the deity (the Shiva linga) from the original temple at Kushasthali (present day Cortalim) to the present location. The temple which is believed to be built around 1744, has been rebuilt and has undergone several renovations. The temple is a modern piece of architecture blended with a mix of Hindu, Christian and Muslim influences. The image of the deity is housed behind a highly decorated silver doorway. At the entrance, slightly to the north of the temple, is a majestic 7 storied Deepa Stambha (lamp tower). It is the tallest and most imposing column in Goa and looks most beautiful on festival nights when illuminated with traditional oil lamps.

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Shri Mahalaxmi Temple, Bandode
Shri Mahalaxmi Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu's consort Mahalaxmi, is situated in the village of Bandode (also called Bandora or Bandivade), about 4 kms east of Ponda and 22 kms from Panaji. The temple is considered as the abode of the original Goddess of the Shakti cult and its unique feature is that the Devi wears linga on her head. The idol of Mahalaxmi with four arms holding a sickle, a club, a dagger, and a vessel containing prasad and flowers, has a close resemblance to that of Mahalakshmi idol at Kolhapur. Besides the main black granite stone idol, there was another idol of the devi made of panchloha (five metals). Apart from the two idols of Mahalakshmi, the temple houses 18 wooden images of Lord Vishnu and idols of deities such as Shri Ravalnath, Shri Baleshwar and Shri Narayan Purush. The temple is believed to have been shifted from Colva in Sasasthi (Salcette taluka) in the 16th century during the inquisition, to save it from destruction by the Portuguese.

Jama Masjid, Sanguem
Jama Masjid is situated at Sanguem taluk about 26kms from Margao. Built in the last century, it is an elegant mosque of harmonious proportion and simplicity. A dome arises in the center of the mosque and it has four minarets at its entrance, flanked by two towers surmounted by pillared kiosks.

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