St. Augustine’s Tower
One of the most enigmatic historical monuments of Goa is St. Augustine’s Tower, located just half a
kilometer from the famous Se Cathedral church and some 9 kms from the heart of Panaji city. St. Augustine’s Tower is approximately 46 meters high and is by far the biggest tower of Old Goa. But, what makes it enigmatic is not its staggering height, but its complete ruined condition. Indeed when you yourself experience this ruined tower, even you’ll be mesmerized by its charm and enigmatic beauty. In fact you’ll be even surprised to know that the ruined photos of St. Augustine’s Tower is one of the most used photos in all the travel brochures of Goa.
This mysterious tower, which today stands as isolated and lonely tower, was actually an integral part of the famous St Augustine Church. This famous church at one point of time was one of the largest and beautiful churches of Goa. It was built some 400 years ago by Augustinian firars, who had arrived in Goa in year 1572 for spreading Christianity. The entire construction of this church along with the convent was believed to have been completed in year 1602. The church in those olden days – as mentioned earlier – was the most beautiful and also largest church of Goa. In fact legends have it that this church was one of the most beautiful Augustinian churches built by Augustinian firars anywhere in the world. And as for St. Augustine’s Tower was concerned, it served as a belfry of the church. Hence a huge bell was also hung on the top of it.
So, how come once the most beautiful church Goa is today laying in a completely ruined condition. In fact today all that is left of this once beautiful church is the enigmatic St Augustine tower. Well, according to historical records political fallout between Portuguese authorities and Augustine order of Catholic Christianity eventually lead to destruction of this huge church. Portuguese authorities, however, did not all out destroyed the church, but only chose to abandon the church. Exactly in which year did the Portuguese abandon this church is still disputed, but historians widely believed that it was in year 1839.
After abandoning, Portuguese never ever cared to restore this church again. Eventually causing slow destruction and almost complete annihilation of this church. And today what remains of this once beautiful and huge church is St. Augustine’s Tower, which mysteriously has stood the test of time and today has become one of the most visited historical monuments of Goa. It is indeed a living piece of history giving a faint glimpse to all its visitors of a yesteryear church that was once one of the most beautiful churches of Goa.
If you’re a genuine lover of history and even art, then you surely can’t miss this historical piece of monument. Unarguably one of the strange and mysterious historical monuments that you’ll ever come across.
kilometer from the famous Se Cathedral church and some 9 kms from the heart of Panaji city. St. Augustine’s Tower is approximately 46 meters high and is by far the biggest tower of Old Goa. But, what makes it enigmatic is not its staggering height, but its complete ruined condition. Indeed when you yourself experience this ruined tower, even you’ll be mesmerized by its charm and enigmatic beauty. In fact you’ll be even surprised to know that the ruined photos of St. Augustine’s Tower is one of the most used photos in all the travel brochures of Goa.This mysterious tower, which today stands as isolated and lonely tower, was actually an integral part of the famous St Augustine Church. This famous church at one point of time was one of the largest and beautiful churches of Goa. It was built some 400 years ago by Augustinian firars, who had arrived in Goa in year 1572 for spreading Christianity. The entire construction of this church along with the convent was believed to have been completed in year 1602. The church in those olden days – as mentioned earlier – was the most beautiful and also largest church of Goa. In fact legends have it that this church was one of the most beautiful Augustinian churches built by Augustinian firars anywhere in the world. And as for St. Augustine’s Tower was concerned, it served as a belfry of the church. Hence a huge bell was also hung on the top of it.
So, how come once the most beautiful church Goa is today laying in a completely ruined condition. In fact today all that is left of this once beautiful church is the enigmatic St Augustine tower. Well, according to historical records political fallout between Portuguese authorities and Augustine order of Catholic Christianity eventually lead to destruction of this huge church. Portuguese authorities, however, did not all out destroyed the church, but only chose to abandon the church. Exactly in which year did the Portuguese abandon this church is still disputed, but historians widely believed that it was in year 1839.
After abandoning, Portuguese never ever cared to restore this church again. Eventually causing slow destruction and almost complete annihilation of this church. And today what remains of this once beautiful and huge church is St. Augustine’s Tower, which mysteriously has stood the test of time and today has become one of the most visited historical monuments of Goa. It is indeed a living piece of history giving a faint glimpse to all its visitors of a yesteryear church that was once one of the most beautiful churches of Goa.
If you’re a genuine lover of history and even art, then you surely can’t miss this historical piece of monument. Unarguably one of the strange and mysterious historical monuments that you’ll ever come across.