Basilica of Bom Jesus

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is located in Goa, the city of beaches and it is famous in the Roman Catholic World. It is the only church in Old Goa which is not plastered on the outside. This church is a World Heritage Monument and it is 400 years old church. ’Bom Jesus’ means ‘Good Jesus. This place holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier in Goa. Public viewing of the body of St. Francis Xavier is held every ten years. This event attracts lakhs of devotees from all over the world.

The interior of the church is simple and the floor is laid with the finest marble with the precious stones in it. There is a silver statue placed in front of the silver casket where the body of St. Francis Xavier reposes. It is a monument typical of the classic forms of plane architecture, introduced by the Society of Jesus, otherwise known as the Jesuits. The exterior, which is of granite, represents features of five styles of architecture: Roman, Ionic, Doric, Corinthian and Composite. It is a large single Nave structure built (1595-1605) and paid for with legacies left by Dom Jeronimo Mascarenhas, a wealthy Portuguese Captain of Cochin. Some of the places which are must visit:
• Quadrangular pediment at the top of the un-plastered façade
• Carved columns both inside and outside
• Statue of St. Francis Xavier
• Main altar with carvings and gilding
• Gilded reredos with the statues of St. Ignatius and the Infant Jesus
• Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament
• Chapel of St. Francis Xavier
• Sacristy – chest containing the Golden Rose
• Painting of the relics of the saint
• Paintings of the saints
• Modern art gallery popular paintings “The Last Judgement” and “Genesis
• Gallery of Bom Jesus.

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