Location :
Old Goa, Panaji
Built In : 1602
Architectural Style : Italian Style
When To Go : September - November
Positioning of The Church
The church of St Augustine is an east-facing church in Goa built by
Augustine friars in 1602. It is located opposite the Royal Chapel of St
Anthony. The construction of the building began more than 400 years ago and
was finished between the years 1597 to 1602. The designer's name of this
irresistible piece of construction is not known, but is guessed to have been
an Italian.
History
By chance the construction of the church begun in the same year as the
arrival in Goa of Julio Simao (1565-1641) who was himself influenced by the
great Spanish architect Juan de Herrera (1530-1597). Simao was the chief
architect of the Indian colonies of Portugal having been appointed by Philip
II, ruler of Spain and Portugal between 1580-1598. When it was accomplished
in the 16th century, the grand Nossa Senhora da Graca Church was regarded as
one of the three great Augustinian churches in the Iberian world, the other
two being the Basilica of the Escorial in Spain, St. Vincente de Fora in
Lisbon.
It was the hard work, efforts and aids of these 12 Augustan Friars, that
the church came up, on the Holy Hill. It was built in Old Goa in September
1572 which was completed by 1602. The Portuguese government later released a
veto against them. The twelve men emptied the church and the church and the
convent both are smashed now. However, the lifted 46-metre high Bell Tower
still remains and forms a front most section of the ruins.
An Echoing Bell
The tower's huge bell was moved in 1871 to the Church of our Lady of the
Immaculate Conception in Panjim, where it remains and can be seen and heard
today. But unfortunately, in 1931, the facade and half the tower fell down,
followed by more sections in 1938 leaving only half the tower that is seen
and visited by thousands of tourists today.
Beauty of The Church
The Church had eight richly ornamented chapels and four altars and a
convent with many cells attached to it and the great nave was entered
through a five storeyed high facade that was the largest in India. The
church was finished in 1835 due to religious subjugation. The vault
collapsed in 1842 followed by facade and the main tower in 1831. the site
was hollowed in 1989 to bring out eight chapels, four altars, Persian tiles,
relief sculptures and morals. There were 100 granite tombstones embellished
with a coat of arms, above inscriptions of the 17th century. This remarkable
structure of St. Augustine's tower is all that remains of what was once one
of the largest buildings in Goa. The lost Augustans Monastery is still a
major attraction in Goa.
How To Reach
The church is situated opposite the Royal Chapel of St Anthony and it is a
5 minute walk from the Basilica.
