Basilica of Bom Jesus
The Baroque Basilica Holding St Francis Xavier
Overview
The Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa, completed in 1605, is one of India's most revered churches and a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. It holds the mortal remains of St Francis Xavier, the Jesuit missionary, kept in an ornate silver casket, and it forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage 'Churches and Convents of Goa.' Behind its warm laterite facade lies a soaring nave and a gilded high altar. The basilica is open daily and remains an active place of worship. MyTripMyTravel visits as part of an Old Goa heritage circuit with a knowledgeable guide.
The Basilica of Bom Jesus is the spiritual heart of Old Goa, the once-mighty capital of Portuguese India. Completed in 1605, it is celebrated both as one of the finest Baroque churches in Asia and as the resting place of St Francis Xavier, the pioneering Jesuit missionary revered across the Catholic world.
Its facade of exposed laterite stone gives way to a lofty, richly decorated interior, dominated by an elaborately gilded high altar. To one side rests the saint's ornate tomb, surmounted by a silver casket that draws pilgrims from around the globe. The church anchors the UNESCO-listed ensemble of the Churches and Convents of Goa.
MyTripMyTravel folds the basilica into a wider Old Goa itinerary, alongside the neighbouring Sé Cathedral and other monuments, with a guide who explains its history, its art, and its living devotional role.
At a glance
Basilica of Bom Jesus in brief
What to see
Highlights
Tomb of St Francis Xavier
An ornate marble tomb bearing a silver casket that holds the saint's remains, the basilica's chief object of pilgrimage.
Gilded high altar
A towering, richly gilded altar dominates the nave, a showpiece of Baroque exuberance.
Laterite facade
The warm, unrendered laterite front is a distinctive and much-photographed feature of the church.
The nave
A high, austere-walled interior focuses the eye down the length of the church to the altar.
Old Goa setting
It stands among the UNESCO-listed churches of Old Goa, ideal to explore together on foot.
Visitor information
Our tips
Dress modestly as it is an active place of worship.
Visit on a weekday to avoid Sunday Mass crowds.
Pair it with the nearby Sé Cathedral and other Old Goa churches.
Keep quiet and respectful if a service is under way.
Good to know
Basilica of Bom Jesus, your questions
Whose remains are here?
The basilica holds the mortal remains of St Francis Xavier, the Jesuit missionary.
When was it built?
It was completed in 1605.
Is there an entry fee?
No, entry to the basilica is free.
Is it a UNESCO site?
Yes, it is part of the World Heritage 'Churches and Convents of Goa.'
Is it still used for worship?
Yes, it is an active church, with services including Sunday Mass.
More in Goa
Visit with us
See Basilica of Bom Jesus, properly.
A private, chauffeured visit with a licensed expert guide, timed for the best light and the smallest crowds. We fold Basilica of Bom Jesus into a wider Goa and West India itinerary, built entirely around you.
- Skip the queue where possible, at the right hour
- Licensed local guide who brings the story to life
- Private car and chauffeur, door to door
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