Basilica of Bom Jesus, India

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is located in Old Goa - the first Christian colony in India. This church in India has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Basilica of Bom Jesus is also known as the Church of Saint Francis Xavier as he lived in Goa and is buried in the church.

The Basilica of Bom Jesus houses the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, who was a very close friend of St. Ignatius Loyola. Francis Xavier died on December 13, 1552 on the island of Sanchian while traveling to China. The remains of the saint still attract a huge number of tourists from all over the world (regardless of their religion), especially during the public display of his body every ten years (most recently in 2014).

The Basilica of Bom Jesus  is the first small basilica in India and is considered one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in India.

Construction work on the church began in 1594. The Bom Jesus Church was consecrated in May 1605 by Archbishop Dom Fr. Alexio de Menezes. This World Heritage Site is considered a landmark in the history of Christianity.

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is one of the oldest churches in Goa and India. The Basilica of Bom Jesus is built in a cruciform shape, and its architecture features Ionic, Doric, Corinthian and mixed styles. The Basilica of Bom Jesus has three elegant entrances, which are topped by three huge rectangular windows, followed by three smaller windows, and all flow into a beautifully carved central pediment.

The floor of the Basilica of Bom Jesus is marble inlaid with precious stones. If the elaborate gilded altars are excluded, the interior of the church is considered quite clean. The main altar is gilded and made in the Baroque style. On it is placed a large statue of St. Ignatius of Loyola, who was one of the companions of Francis Xavier.

The gaze of the gilded statue of Ignatius of Loyola is directed upward, radiating admiration for Jesus. Also distinguished is the gilded emblem of the Jesuits, enveloped in radiant rays. Above the emblem is the Holy Trinity - Father, Son and Spirit. The altar table is gilded and decorated with the figures of Christ and his apostles during the Last Supper.

In the Basilica of Bom Jesus there are paintings with scenes from the life of Saint Francis Xavier. The mausoleum, where the silver casket containing the body of Saint Francis Xavier is located, was a gift from Cosimo III, the Grand Duke of Tuscany.

The Mausoleum of Saint Francis Xavier was designed by the 17th century Florentine sculptor Giovanni Battista Foggini and took him ten years to complete. The casket containing the saint's body is made entirely of silver and is a magnificent combination of Italian and Indian art. The saint's relics are displayed every ten years on the anniversary of the saint's death. His liturgical feast day is December 3.

The Basilica of Bom Jesus houses an art gallery that contains the works of surrealist artist Dom Martin.