Read More on The Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception
History
The church was built in the year 1541 keeping in mind the needs of the Portuguese sailors. This structure was built when the area was occupied by the Portuguese and a less populated Portuguese village was nearby. In 1600 the chapel became Parish and this old church was renovated. The structure we see today was originally built in 1609.
The stairs and the very famous bell were later added to the church premise. The bell belonged to the ruins of the Church of Our Lady of Grace, later it was placed at this church. The largest bell of this kind resides in the Se Cathedral followed by the second largest bell that is displayed for the visitors at the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, Goa.
Architecture
The Portuguese style of architecture makes the church stand out. The church is painted with shiny white color and has a few streaks of blue here and there. The white represents Virgin Mary. The bell tower here is a highlight because it is the Augustinian bell. The towers are referred to as the crown of Panjim.
Mother Mary stands at the main altar. The interior is elegant and colorful. There are two more alters here, one dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary and the other is dedicated to Jesus’ Crucifixion. Many movies have been shot here and this church witnesses tourists throughout the year.
Activities
- You can walk around and capture the beauty of the place.
- The church has a rich history, ask any of the locals in the church to enlighten you.
- Enjoy making reels and click pictures of the church.
- Just enjoy the moment while it lasts.
Tips for visiting
- While visiting you may end up questioning yourself as to where have you seen the church before? Yes, it may seem familiar because this church has been a part of many of the Bollywood movies and series.
- When you plan to visit the church respect and obey the instructions given by the authorities.
- Do not harm the property in any case and avoid throwing trash around.
- Visit during early morning or late evening hours.
- Wear appropriate clothes and women should wear knee-length dresses.
- On Sundays the church is closed and when you plan to visit the church keep in mind the surrounding attractions that you can visit too.
Best time to visit
Visit Goa in winter that is from November to March. The summers here are very harsh and humid making it a bit difficult to explore and move around freely. During the rainy season, it is suggested to not try water sports so if you want to make the best out of your Goa trip then plan a visit during the winter season.
Nearby Atractions
- St. Sebastian Chapel
- Shree Mahalaxmi Temple
- Reis Magos Fort
- Gitanjali Gallery
- Basilica of Bom Jesus
Nearby Hotels
The list below has three categories of hotels which are 5 star, 4star hotels, 3 star hotels, budget hotels, and resorts in Goa. You can visit the website to get more options of hotels that are available in Goa.
- Vivanta Goa, Panaji
- Cidade De Goa - IHCL SeleQtions
- Ria Residency
- Rahi Coral Beach Resort
Interesting Facts About The Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception
- The interior of the church is very basic as compared to the churches around Goa. It is elegant yet attractive, this is the reason why this church has been a part of many Bollywood movies.
- The bell tower of this church is famous because it has the second-largest bell in Goa.
- At the main altar, you can easily spot a bas-relief carving of the well-known Last Supper of Jesus with his Apostles.