Soul TravellingOld Goa historic town, the Basilica of Bom Jesus has emerged to testify to the richness and opulence of the colonial period Portuguese architecture, together with the Renaissance style and expertise. Built between 1594 and 1605, it remains the iconic Roman Catholic Church within this nation state of India, also an inscription on the World Heritage of UNESCO since 1986. The construction of and historical timeline of the Basilica can enlighten one as much regarding artistic cultural heritage of those years.
Historical Significance of Old Goa and the Basilica
Old Goa was once the capital of Portuguese India, and its splendor rivalled Lisbon at the height of the 16th century. The first Jesuit colony in the Indian subcontinent carried enormous religious and political significance. However, with epidemics of malaria and cholera sweeping the town in the 17th century, the town slowly began to lose its shine. But the Basilica of Bom Jesus came up amidst such historical uprisings, testifying the endurance and fervor of the people.
Consecrated in 1605 by Archbishop Rev. Fr. Aleixo de Menezes, it became a minor basilica in 1946. Today, it still stirs awe as a monumental expression of faith and artistry.
The Basilica of Bom Jesus is a brilliant example of Renaissance Baroque architecture, reflecting the creativity of Jesuit design. Its granite facade, divided into four main sections, is an extraordinary blend of architectural styles, comprising Roman, Ionic, Doric, Corinthian, and Composite styles. This combination creates a fantastic visual harmony that captures everyone’s attention even at first sight.
The Facade: Contrasts and Styles
The unplastered granite facade of the basilica is a unique feature, stripped of its original plaster in 1970 by a Portuguese conservationist. The decision, though controversial, left the basilica with a raw and timeless aesthetic that highlights the intricacy of its carvings.
The facade is structured into four sections:
- Lowest Section: It contains three beautifully crafted doors, a wide central door accompanied by two side doors.
- The Second Section: Above these doors, it contains three square windows. Each window is accompanying its corresponding door below.
- The Third Section: It accommodates three circular windows. This section completes the symmetry of the façade.
- The Quadrangular Pediment: Lavishly decorated with arabesques, this part is the climax of the facade’s design. It carries the emblem of the Jesuits, “IHS,” which means Iesus Hominum Salvator (Jesus, Savior of Men).
Dimensions and Structural Layout
The Basilica of Bom Jesus is a cruciform structure. It has a length measuring 83 feet, while the breadth is 51 feet with a height measuring 61 feet. With three-storeyed dimensions, this edifice spreads 75 feet in breadth and 78.5 feet in altitude. Basalt pillars from North Goa’s city Bassein give support to such a majestic frontage.
The main altar stretches a staggering 54 feet by 30 feet and is behind an ornate reredos that goes from floor to ceiling. This reredos is filled with baroque carvings and features a large statue of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, with the Infant Jesus below.
The interior of the basilica is characterized by a synthesis of Renaissance simplicity and sumptuous detailing. Here, the flooring is done of the finest marble inlayed with precious stones, while the altar is elaborately carved and gilded.
Chapels and Altars
There are two chapels, three altars, a sacristy, and a choir loft inside the basilica. The southern transept contains the Chapel of St. Francis Xavier, which has relics of the saint. The said chapel features carved and gilded columns with floral decorations. The silver casket containing the remains of St. Francis Xavier is an excellent example of hybrid Italian and Indian art, well restored in 2021.
The northern transept contains the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, and two smaller altars are flanked on the main altar side with St. Michael and Our Lady of Good Hope.
Artistic Detailing
The basilica is known for its beautiful wood-carved floral decorations and paintings of saints adorning the walls. Near the sacristy, visitors can view a beautifully carved wooden door and a painting of the relics of St. Francis Xavier, completed over a century ago.
Amongst its historical monuments, this is also one of the more modern art galleries in Asia. It houses 36 paintings created between 1973 and 1976 and presents various Biblical scenes, with The Last Judgement and Genesis being notably exceptional.
St. Francis Xavier: The Saint of the Basilica
The basilica’s most famous feature is the chapel and tomb of St. Francis Xavier, a missionary who was believed to have healing powers. His feast day on December 3 attracts pilgrims from all over the world, and every ten years, his body is displayed to the faithful and carried in a grand procession.
The ornate tomb was a gift from Grand Duke Cosimo III of Tuscany, carved by Giovanni Battista Foggini and erected in 1698. The silver-covered casket that houses the remains of the saint is a unique relic that represents a fusion of Indian and European artistic traditions.
Conclusion
The Basilica of Bom Jesus is not religiously oriented but is actually a treasure in culture bearing the artistry, history, and spirituality of Old Goa. Its brilliant architectural skills, richly ornamented interiors, and great historical value make it one of the most important tourist places and a place for those seeking solace.
Standing as a beacon of the past in the heart of Goa, the basilica invites people to step into a bygone era of grandeur and devotion, thus making sure it will remain one of the finest examples of Renaissance Baroque architecture in the world. Either one admires the intricacies in the exterior façade or appreciates the richness in gilding on its altars, or senses the deep sobriety in the spaces it creates as a church, the Basilica of Bom Jesus indeed provides the means for a journey into sublime.
