Old Goa tour rediscover Rome of the East with professional guide

Old Goa tour rediscover Rome of the East with professional guide

This tour is led by a cultural evangelist who will take you back to 16th-18th century when Old Goa was a thriving global city rivaling Lisbon and London. Listen to the story of the meteoric rise of Old Goa as the capital of Portuguese India and visit exquisitely built Churches .

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Viceroy's Arch, Old Goa Near OLD Goa Church Complex, Goa Velha 403402 India

The Viceroy’s Arch erected in 1599 by Viceroy Francisco da Gama was once the main street for entering Old Goa. It was built as a memorial to the achievements of Vasco da Gama, the famous explorer. Incidentally Franciso was the great grand son of Vasco de Gama!

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa Road, Goa Velha 403402 India

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the finest examples of baroque architecture in India. Bom Jesus which means Good Jesus, was how Infant Jesus was referred to. Basilica of Bom Jesus is a landmark in the history of Christianity. It holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier who along with St. Ignatius Loyola has founded the Society of Jesus. The Blessed Sacrament was earlier kept on the main altar under the statue of St Ignatius and now is preserved in a gold tabernacle.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Chapel of St. Catherine of Alexandria, North Goa, Goa 403110, India

Next we will visit St Catherine Chapel a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built by Alfanso De Albuquerque in 1510 when he defeated the local Muslim ruler Adil Shah on St. Catherine’s Day that is 25th November 1510. The Chapel has rectangular window panes of the Old Portuguese style dressed in mica shells.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Church of St. Francis of Assissi, Off National Highway 4 Nr. Archaeological Museum, Old Goa 403110 India

Eight Portuguese Franciscan friars landed in Goa in 1517 and established the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. The Church follows a mixed construction style. Tuscan order has been applied for the exteriors, while the main altar has been built in rich Baroque style with Corinthian features.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Se Cathedral, Velha, Goa 403402, India

Built in Manueline style, Se Cathedral was built to showcase the Portuguese’s victory over an invading Muslim army in the early 16th century. The day of that victory is celebrated as the Feast of Saint Catherine. In 20th century, the Pope Pius XII presented the honorary ‘Golden Rose’ to the cathedral, which is now placed on the tomb of Saint. Francis Xavier, inside the cathedral.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: St. Augustine Tower, Church of St. Augustine Ruins,, Goa Velha, Goa 403402, India

St Augustine’s tower was built in 1600. It is one of the four towers of St. Augustine Church that once stood at the site. The Tower was meant to serve as a belfry and the Church had eight richly adorned chapels & four altars and a convent with numerous cells.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, Bainguinim, Goa 403110, India

Rosary church is the oldest surviving church in Goa. Afonso de Albuquerque, while fighting the Islamic army of Deccan Sultanate, took a vow to build this church as a token of gratitude to Our Lady of Victory. Its striking features are high altitude windows and round towers which makes it look like a fortress.

Duration: 30 minutes