Old Goa, situated alongside River Mandovi with Panaji being located at 10 km to the west, is home to many of the famous churches in India, the most prominent and the most respected one for Christians all over the world being the Goa Basilica of Bom Jesus. Devoted to Infant Jesus, Goa Basilica of Bom Jesus has been announced to be a World Heritage Monument. This 16th century house of worship is famous all over the Catholic world which is also the earliest Minor Basilica in India depicting the splendor of Indian baroque architecture, "Bom Jesus" being "Good Jesus" or "Infant Jesus". The design is based on the plain Renaissance approach and the minutiae and adornments are bold Baroque style. The structure of Goa Basilica of Bom Jesus is rich in style which integrates white marble and has aureate altars ornamented with frescoes and engraved works. The portico has on its top the letters "HIS", which are the initial three letters in Greek of Jesus. The two supporting columns of the choir have got inscriptions in Latin and Portuguese which record the construction of Goa Basilica of Bom Jesus from 24th of November, 1594 to 15th of May, 1605, when Goa's Archbishop and Primate of India, Fr. Alexia de Menezes sanctified it.
Goa Basilica of Bom Jesus is the proud home to the holy remains of St. Francis Xavier, the renowned saint who patronized Christianity in Goa. After his demise in 1552, the corporeal remnants were presented to Goa Basilica of Bom Jesus by Cosimo de Medici III who was Tuscany's Grand Duke. Presently the body of St. Xavier is preserved in a sealed glass coffin placed in a silver chest fashioned by Giovanni Batista Foggini, a well-known 17th century sculptor of Florence. In honor of the wish of St. Xavier, his earthly remains were brought to Goa on the year after his death, which was incredibly fresh like the day of his burial. This amazing incident still appeals people worldwide and for this, every year pilgrims are allowed to view his remains during "Exposition" once in every ten years, the last "Exposition" being held in 2004. For viewing the worldly remains of St. Xavier, who was well-known for his amazing powers of curing diseases, people from every corner of the world come to Goa and pray at the Goa Basilica of Bom Jesus.
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The minutely fashioned basalt trimmings make Goa Basilica of Bom Jesus one of the most precious treasures of Goa. In fact, St. Xavier's catacomb is a great masterpiece embodying the beauty of Italian art at the marble base and the splendor of Hindu workmanship in the making of the silver casket. The ornately designed golden altars portray the beauty of wooden, stone, golden and granite carvings and sculptures, whereas the white marble columns are adorned with precious gems.
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