Church Of St. Augustine

Goa is popularly known for its beaches and churches. The Church of St. Augustine is one of them. It is located in the old Goa and is one of the World Heritage Sites, Churches, and Convents of Goa. It is the largest church in Goa. The 46 m high bell tower can be seen from a distance and attracts the attention of the tourists. This is a major tourist destination in Goa. People from different places of the world come to visit this place. If you are traveling to Goa, you must visit this place.

Attraction

First of all, it is a holy place and this church is a historical landmark in Goa. It is quite different from the other churches in Goa. There are many interesting things to look around. This place has great religious and historical significance. The beautiful background will give you the opportunity to click on some wonderful pictures. You can have a nice walk around the church. This is a must-visit place in Goa. History lovers and photographers will love this place.

History

Ruined part of Church of St. Augustine was built on the Holy Hill in 1602.

The church was built by Augustinian friars between 1597 to 1602 who landed in Goa in 1587. It was recognized as one of the three great Augustine churches in the Iberian world along with el Escorial and the Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora. This church is dedicated to the Lady of Grace.

In 1835 Augustine was expelled from Goa and the church was abandoned that time after the Portuguese government began much religious order in Goa. From that time it was neglected and not maintained at all. As a result, the main vault of the church collapsed in 1846 and the convent also decayed fast. All the majestic buildings which were used to stand here with grace decayed and all that is left today is the 46 m bell tower without a bell. In 1871 the bell was moved to the church of Lady of the Immaculate Conception.

Inside/Outside Views

Outside view of Church Of St. Augustine.

The church initially had four towers. Unfortunately, three of them have collapsed and only one is remaining. The remaining tower is a four-storied structure, which is built of laterite.

In 1980, archeologists from the Soviet Union and Georgia come here to track the relics of Ketevan the Martyr, who is a Georgian queen who delivered herself as a hostage o Shah Abbas I and was martyred on 13 September 1624. It was believed that her relics were in Goa. So, a Georgian team directed excavations in the church and they were in search of a black box and that box was supposed to contain the bones of the queen. In 2005 the excavation project by the ASI yielded bone fragments. The samples were sent for the test at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology for the DNA studies. After the tests, the result showed some presence of Ulb Human Mitochondrial DNA haplogroup which is absent in India. In the final result, it was said that the bones most likely belong to the Queen.

How to Reach

By air: The nearest airport to the church is the Goa international airport. It is about 27.4km away from the church. This airport is well connected with the other major cities of India and has international flights too. At the airport, you will find local transport. By hiring them you can reach your destination. You can hire private transport also.

By train: The nearest railway station to the Church of St. Augustine, Goa is the Karmali railway station. It is 2.5 km away from the church. You will easily find any local transport at the railway station, which can take you to your destination.

FAQ

Que-01: Is this place safe to visit?

Ans: Yes, this is a safe place for tourists. Many people come to visit this place. If you face any kind of problem here, you can contact the police. For your help, here is the local police station information:

Location: Goa Velha, Goa 403402, India

Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/ZiHiLpWx2bb6znb37

Phone no: +918322285301

Que-02: Is photography allowed in this place?

Ans: Yes, photography is allowed on the premises of the church and it is free. You can click on some beautiful pictures here.

Que-03: When is the best time to visit the Church of St. Augustine, Goa?

Ans: The place can be visited any time of the year. But the ideal time to visit this church is from October to December. Cause, during those months the weather of the city remains travel friendly. So, you will be able to enjoy your trip properly.

Que-04: Is there any dress code in the Church of St. Augustine, Goa?

Ans: There is no dress code in the church. But, it is requested to the visitors wear clothes that match and protect the sanctity of the holy place.

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