Mae De Deus Church, Goa Overview

Housing the miraculous statue of Mae de Deus (Mother of God) which was brought from the ruins of the convent of Mae de Deus at Old Goa, this church in Saligao stands as one of the finest examples of the neo-gothic style of architecture. The church is situated in the amazing surroundings of the typical Goan countryside giving it the look of a castle from a fairy tale. The church was built in the year 1873. The first Sunday of May is celebrated as the church feast, the feast of Our Lady, the Mother of God which is the best time to join the celebrations.

Claiming its fame with the miraculous Mae de Deus statue of Old Goa, The Mae de Deus church has a glamorous charm of its own which draws a lot of tourists from all over the world. Looking like a princess castle with its gothic spires and pristine white walls, the church mesmerizes all with its magnificent dome-shaped exteriors as well as its carved interiors. Its proximity from Calangute Beach makes it popular amongst locals and tourists.

How To Reach Mae De Deus Church

The church is located at a distance of 10 km from the Panaji Bus Stand and about 37 km from the Vasco de Gama Railway Station. Thus, it is advised to hire a private car or take a cab to reach the beautiful location.
The mesmerizing surroundings and the marvelous Goan craftsmanship attracts not only people of religion but also those who love to look at one of the best art structures that Goa has to offer.

What Makes the Church Famous?

In the amazing surroundings, the gothic architectural style of the Mae de Deus Church looks magnificent. The church houses the exquisitely gold-painted statue of the Mae de Deus (Mother of God) which is brought from the ruins of the Mae de Deus at Old Goa. Beside the main altar which houses the statue, there are six other altars which are carved and gilded tapering towards the ceiling. This makes for the gorgeous interiors of the church. While you are there, do not miss the light display of the church after sundown.
If you are there in the first week of May, you can also be a part of the church feast that is held on the first Sunday of May. The feast is preceded by a nine-day novena and masses organized by different wards of Saligao with many performances by the parishioners.
On the day of the feast, there is a grand celebration with a large procession which is followed by a gorgeous firework display that draws all tourists to its extravagant celebrations.

History of the Church

Situated in a typical Goan countryside, the church is located in the Bardez Taluka built in 1873. The marvelous structure has a history of its own with its foundation stone being laid on February 7th, 1857 and final inauguration on November 26, 1873.
The graceful building has a history of its own. It is believed that the people of Saligao were a part of a parish church of the Holy Trinity of Nagoa. However, these people wished for a parish of their own and got permission from the Archbishop. After the approval, the church was built with stones excavated from three different sites. Two of these institutions were religious buildings- the Mae de Deus convent and the Chapel of Our Lady of Victory and the others were taken from a nearby quarry.
Since its construction, the church has been one of the finest examples of neo-Gothic architecture in Goa.