The churches in Old Goa stand as witnesses to the glorious era of the Portuguese Culture. Old Goa was the capital of Goa then, however now the capital of Goa is Panjim. Bom Jesus (Good or infant Jesus) is one of the old Churches and termed as Basilica which houses the relics of St. Francis Xavier who died in 1552. The body is neither embalmed or mummified for preservation.
On the right you can see the close up of the architectural Masterpiece. A masterpiece that depicts the Baroque architecture which was prevalent during the French revolution in the seventeenth century. The Church is made up of laterite stones.
At the bottom is a photograph of the silver casket embedded with precious stones which holds the relics of St Francis Xavier. Apparently, India has a lot of Xavier Schools, Colleges and Institutes named after this Saint.
Many of the Churches in Old Goa are of the Gothic style. There is also a Cathedral opposite this Basilica called the Se Cathedral. One can also watch the famous church of St. Agustine which is a replica of the St. Peter's Square Basilica in the Vatican City. This church is located next to the Viceroy's Arch which where the Viceroy's during the Portuguese regime would be handed a ceremonial key to this land at that time called Goesa.
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