Basilica Of Bom Jesus - The Sacred Cross

The Bom Jesus Basilica is located in Old Goa, which was a capital of Goa in the early days of Portuguese rule. This monument was built in 1695 and has been declared as World Heritage Site.The basilica holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. The cathedral is India's first Minor Basilica and is considered as one of the best examples of baroque architecture in India. This church is a landmark in the history of Christianity.

Architecture Of The Church
The design of Basilica De Bom Jesus was inspired by the Church of St. Paul, which is now in ruins. Built of laterite, the church is cruciform on plan having a tiled roof. The exterior of the church, excepting the facade was lime plastered which was subsequently removed. The three-storeyed facade of Basilica De Bom Jesus, with delicately carved basalt embellishments is one of the richest in Goa.

The facade is a visual delight for your eyes and its Ionic, Doric and Corinthian columns depict the fine use of classical orders, in the Renaissance style. At the top of the facade you can see an intricately carved basalt medallion which depicts the emblem of the society of Jesus. As the facade follows the Baroque style, the layout of the basilica with its single rectangular nave follows the Renaissance style. In the ground floor of the basilica you will see three portals, on the first floor there are three corresponding long windows while on the second floors are three circular windows.
Scoop
Place - Goa
Area - Not Found
Altitude - 183 ft.
Built In - 1594
Built By - Jesuits
Best Season To Visit - October to March
Local Transport - Local buses, auto rickshaws, cycle rickshaws

Accommodation Options
The possibilities for accommodation in Goa are virtually limitless, stretching all the way from snazzy resorts and upmarket hotels to affordable guest houses, cottages and local inns. Budget options include dormitories and hostels, or home stays, which can be a great way to see Goa up close. The only thing to keep in mind is that Goa’s immense popularity makes accommodation scarce during the peak season; book well in advance.

Major Highlight
St. Francis Day : The body of St Francis Xavier lies in a silver casket in the Church of Bom Jesus in Goa. Ceremonies to honor his death are performed on December 3, the day he was buried. St Xavier was a great Catholic missionary, who preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Asia.

Map Of Goa
http://www.goahub.com/goa/maps/tourist-map-of-goa.html
Getting There
Goa, thanks to its popularity as a tourist destination, has plenty of connections to the rest of India. The domestic airport at Dabolim (30 km from Panaji) has frequent flights from Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Bangalore and Kochi, besides chartered flights from overseas. The two railway stations- at Vasco da Gama and Margao- also have a number of trains arriving at Goa from the rest of the country. In addition to that, there are bus networks which connect the state to other cities and towns in Western and Southern India.