St. Augustine's Tower, Goa Information | Photos | Location

One of the most spectacular monuments of Goa, ruins of Church and Monastery of St Augustine consists of a 46 m high tower that serves as a belfry and the remnants of chapels and altars. This 46 meters high belfry tower is straight out of a horror flick, which means that it is mysterious and despite the games played on this magnificent structure by the onslaughts of time, a kind of beauty persists. This tower and church was built in the Holy hill or Monte Santo in the year 1602.

The Church had chapels, four altars and a convent which had many cells attached to it. The convent is supposed to have had a couple of cloisters, several corridors and pillars, lovely galleries, a dining hall, an Infirmary and a place for guests to put up at. The dormitories, the cells, everything is in ruins now. The convent was abandoned in 1835 when the residing orders were asked to leave. The church soon started disintegrating. The decay was very adverse by the 1938 when it completely fell. Fortunately, the archaeological Survey is trying to restore the site today. Its stone carved pillars, its walls, its floor tiles, the tomb stones, the inscriptions, everything makes you wonder how the place must have been when it existed in its full glory. Its glory remains but it’s time-worn in its beauty.

There are a lot of places to visit near the church like Café Mambo, Mango Tree Bar and Café, MKOJ, shop for souvenirs and exquisite collectables at Cedan Cards and Gifts, Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan and Ingo’s Saturday night market. One can also indulge in activities like Snorkelling at Sunchi Reef or Banana Boat Ride at Colva beach. For all the relaxation seekers, places like Yoga International Organization, Guru Baba and Ayurvedic Natural Health Centre are a must visit.

This place is a must-see if you're interested in having a tete-a-tete with the past because never had history looked so authentic, so real!