Church Square

A chapel was first built in Panaji in 1541,to serve the needs of Portuguese sailors at their first port of call in colonial Portuguese India. At the time of settlement a small finishing village. It became parish in 1600,and in 1609 the small chapel was replaced by  the present day large church to minister the residents and sailors.

In the 18th century the stairways in a symmetrical zigzag form, were added to the church. The 2nd largest church bell in Goa was installed in a bell tower in 1871. It was formally at the Augustinian Monastery on the holly hill, and was retrieved after the monastery was damaged.

During the festival of Our Lady of Immaculate conception, held every year on 8th December,the church is colorfully illuminate. A fair is also part of this festival.

Posted by : Omkar Navelkar