Basilica de Bom Jesus Church, Goa

An UNESCO World Heritage Site

The sacred 400 year old Christian pilgrimage Basilica de Bom Jesus is located 9km from Panaji, the capital of Goa. It is an UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Old Goa.
The church is named as Basilica de Bom Jesus since ‘Bom Jesus’ is the name used for the infant Jesus. Dedicated to infant Jesus, this church is most revered among the Goans. The place also holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. He is fondly called as ‘Goencho Saib’ (Lord of Goa) by the localities. The church is a masterpiece in itself and is considered as one of the best examples of baroque architecture in India.

Basilica de Bom Jesus exhibits the body of St. Francis Xavier, who was a close friend of the founder of the Society Of Jesus. The surprising factor of the saint’s body is that even today it is very fresh and intact as it was on the day of its burial. The saint’s body is open for public viewing every 10 years on the day of his death anniversary. The last one been held in 2004.
The Basilica de Bom Jesus is a must see spot in Goa. The church is ornamented with marble flooring and inlaid with precious stones. The church also holds paintings with scenes taken from the life of St. Francis Xavier.

Just next to the church is the first and largest modern art gallery of Asia – the Bom Jesus Church art gallery. The gallery houses 36 oil paintings made between 1973 and 1976 from the Italian art. The Basilica also organizes a sound and light show based on the life of Christ and St. Francis Xavier every year on December 3.