St. Augustine Tower / Church Of St. Augustin

This place is a very tourist captivated place among places to visit in Goa. Originally, the church had four towers of which only one remains today, and that too in dilapidated condition. It’s a huge tower made entirely out of laterite stone and measures 46 meters in height. Its nestled just next to a nunnery. When built, the tower had four tiers and was used to house church bells. The church featured four altars and opulently decorated chapels. There was also a convent attached to it. It was constructed by the Augustinian Order in the period from 1597 to 1602 and was Goa’s biggest church at that time. It is over 400 years old and has withstood the ravages of time. 

The Unique Experience

You may not have noticed, but, almost every travel brochure of Goa makes mention of this spectacular monument that people know widely as St. Augustine Tower or Church. It's a world-famous monument of Old Goa with a deep historical past and a World Heritage Site famous for housing the relics of martyr Queen Ketevan of Georgia. Though, ruins are mostly you will see when you visit this church., but, it nonetheless takes you back to the bygone era.

History of St. Augustine Tower 

When the church’s construction ended in 1602, it boasted of four towers plus an enormous vault. It was one of Goa’s finest examples of the Renaissance style of architecture. Considered the Holy Hill of Goa, Monte Santo housed this church on its top. However, due to Portuguese suppression of other religious bodies and faith, this church was left abandoned in 1835. With the passage of time, the church fell into deep neglect and subsequently it fell in 1871 before the fall of its vault in 1842. In the 1900s, the rest of the church also fell, and today only the ruined tower remains. 

The motto of St Augustine

The motto of St Augustine is; “You are great, O Lord, and greatly to be praised. Great is your power, and infinite is your wisdom.”

More About the Place

This place is a must to visit in Goa tour packages. Erected to be used as a belfry, the tower still makes its presence felt with its tall structure. The bell was transported to another prominent church in Panjim. There used to be an altar just near the church’s entrance, and it was assisted by tall pillars. The pillars are all in ruins, though, you can still see their remnants. The remains of the choir loft, convent, corridors, galleries and dining hall are still visible. 

What else?

Songs from hit film Gumnaam and Singham were shot here.