| The
church of Bom Jesus, "Good" or "Infant" Jesus, is known principally for the tomb
of St. Francis Xavier. In 1946, it became the first church of India to be elevated
to the status of Minor Basilica. One of the richest churches in Goa, it is covered
with marble and inlaid with precious stones and paintings depicting the life of
St. Francis Xavier. The basilica, where the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier
are kept, is the best specimen of baroque architecture in India. St. Francis's
body was brought to Goa almost 150 years after his death. It was a gift from Medici,
Cosimo III, the Grand Duke of Tuscany. It now lies in an airtight glass coffin,
placed inside a silver casket fashioned by a 17th century Florentine jeweller.
The chapel attracts large numbers of visitors every year. |
| Accommodation
is no problem at Goa. There are several well developed beach resorts and holiday
cottages besides a profusion of small hotels. There are several five star resorts
in Goa. These are Fort Aguada Beach Resort (Tel: +91-832-276201, Fax: 276044),
The Leela Beach (Tel: 246373, 246363, Fax: 246352) and Hotel Feedalgo (Tel: 226291-99,
Fax: 225061) |