Church of St. Augustine, Goa, Baroque church ruins in Old Goa, India
The Church of St. Augustine is a Baroque ruin on Monte Santo hill, with its most striking feature being a roughly 46-meter-high tower built from red laterite stone. The tower stands alone from the remains of the former building complex and is visible from several spots across Old Goa.
Augustinian monks began construction in 1597 and finished the church five years later, but the complex declined after Portuguese authorities expelled religious orders in 1835. This turning point marked the end of its active use and the start of steady decay.
The church served as a major center for Christian teaching across centuries and continues to shape how Old Goa looks today through its striking ruins. It speaks to a time when religious communities played a leading role in the spiritual life of the region.
The ruin is accessible year-round and sits on a hill that requires a walk, so wear comfortable shoes. The best time to visit is early morning when it is cooler and the light is good for taking photos.
Excavations in 2005 uncovered bone fragments of Queen Ketevan of Georgia, who died there as a martyr. This discovery links the fate of a Georgian ruler to this site and gives the ruins a historical importance that extends beyond Goa.
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