bikashdas
Inside the Basilica - Hall
Crucified in form, interiors of the Basilica are Mosaic Corinthian style, but the Renaissance inspired simplicity is remarkable. One of the richest churches in Goa, the floor of the church is made of grand marble and inlaid with precious stones. The roof of the church was originally tiled. There is a choir above the entrance supported by columns. These columns hold slabs which inform in Portuguese and Latin that 'the construction of this church of Jesus began on November 24, 1594 and Fr. Alexia de Menezes, the Archbishop of Goa and Primate of India consecrated it on 15 May 1605, when it was completed.' Also within the domicile are a main altar, a sacristy, a belfry at the back and two chapels, at the either ends of the transept. Running 182 4\5 feet long and 55 ½ feet broad, on each side are three rows of windows, one above the other. A projecting gallery in the second row supported by columns meant for dignitaries runs on the sides. At the end of the nave is main altar rich with gilded work in gold dedicated to infant Jesus. It has a statue of infant Jesus under the protection of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the society of Jesus, his eyes on the medallion of Jesuits. Above the medallion are depicted the holy trinity- the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
On the either side of the main altar in the transept are the other two altars dedicated to Our Lady of Hope and St. Michael. All the altars are rich with guild work and Baroque in style. In the north of the transept is the chapel of the blessed sacrament or the Mausoleum of St. Francis Xavier. This chapel where St. Francis Xavier lies in a silver casket is lavishly decorated with wooden carvings and paintings depicting scenes from the life of the saint. The tomb of St. Francis made of rich marble of different colours took ten years to complete. A present to the church from the last Medici, the duke of Tuscany, Cosimi III, this tomb was designed by famous Florentine sculptor Giovanni Batista Foggini. In the centre of the nave of the church is the cenotaph, embellished with bronze guild, of the benefactor of the church Dom Jeronimus Mascarenhas, Captain of Cochin and Ormuz. An extensively carved wooden pulpit with a canopy is projecting from the southern wall. The pulpit is carved on its three sides with images of Jesus, four evangelists and four doctors of the church.
The church also has a rich collection of paintings relating to the life of St. Francis Xavier. On the Southern wall of the church are displayed paintings (Italian school) depicting various instances from the life of St. Francis Xavier.
Inside the Basilica - Hall
Crucified in form, interiors of the Basilica are Mosaic Corinthian style, but the Renaissance inspired simplicity is remarkable. One of the richest churches in Goa, the floor of the church is made of grand marble and inlaid with precious stones. The roof of the church was originally tiled. There is a choir above the entrance supported by columns. These columns hold slabs which inform in Portuguese and Latin that 'the construction of this church of Jesus began on November 24, 1594 and Fr. Alexia de Menezes, the Archbishop of Goa and Primate of India consecrated it on 15 May 1605, when it was completed.' Also within the domicile are a main altar, a sacristy, a belfry at the back and two chapels, at the either ends of the transept. Running 182 4\5 feet long and 55 ½ feet broad, on each side are three rows of windows, one above the other. A projecting gallery in the second row supported by columns meant for dignitaries runs on the sides. At the end of the nave is main altar rich with gilded work in gold dedicated to infant Jesus. It has a statue of infant Jesus under the protection of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the society of Jesus, his eyes on the medallion of Jesuits. Above the medallion are depicted the holy trinity- the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
On the either side of the main altar in the transept are the other two altars dedicated to Our Lady of Hope and St. Michael. All the altars are rich with guild work and Baroque in style. In the north of the transept is the chapel of the blessed sacrament or the Mausoleum of St. Francis Xavier. This chapel where St. Francis Xavier lies in a silver casket is lavishly decorated with wooden carvings and paintings depicting scenes from the life of the saint. The tomb of St. Francis made of rich marble of different colours took ten years to complete. A present to the church from the last Medici, the duke of Tuscany, Cosimi III, this tomb was designed by famous Florentine sculptor Giovanni Batista Foggini. In the centre of the nave of the church is the cenotaph, embellished with bronze guild, of the benefactor of the church Dom Jeronimus Mascarenhas, Captain of Cochin and Ormuz. An extensively carved wooden pulpit with a canopy is projecting from the southern wall. The pulpit is carved on its three sides with images of Jesus, four evangelists and four doctors of the church.
The church also has a rich collection of paintings relating to the life of St. Francis Xavier. On the Southern wall of the church are displayed paintings (Italian school) depicting various instances from the life of St. Francis Xavier.