Saint Paul's College, Goa, Monument of National Importance in Old Goa, India.
Saint Paul's College is a set of ruins in Old Goa, India, made up of a stone archway entrance, laterite walls, and basalt columns. These remaining structures give a clear idea of how large the original complex once was.
The college was founded in 1542 by the Jesuits during the Portuguese rule over Goa and grew into one of the most active centers of learning in Asia. After the Jesuits were expelled from Portuguese territories in the 18th century, the buildings fell into ruin.
The college trained Jesuit missionaries who then traveled across Asia, making it a starting point for much of the region's religious transformation. The stone archway that still stands today gives a sense of how large and active this place once was.
The site is within walking distance of other landmarks in Old Goa, such as the Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral. The ground is uneven and partly covered with vegetation, so sturdy shoes are a good idea.
Francis Xavier, later made a saint, taught at Saint Paul's College before his remains were enshrined just a short walk away in the Basilica of Bom Jesus. This connection links the ruins directly to one of the most visited religious sites in all of Goa.
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