St Augustine's tower and the Holy Hill
The Holy Hill rises behind the main churches, and few visitors climb it. At the top, the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary dates from the 1540s, among the earliest surviving churches in Goa, and its decoration mixes Manueline Portuguese forms with motifs from Gujarati and Bijapur stone carving. From its porch, the view runs over the Mandovi to Divar.
A short walk away stands the tower of St Augustine. The Augustinian friars built a vast church and convent here in the early 17th century; after the orders were suppressed in 1835, the church was abandoned, and the vault collapsed later in the century. What remains is a single four-storey tower about 46 m high, the foundations, and fragments of carved stone in the grass. Archaeologists have excavated chapels and tombs on the site.
We come here in the late afternoon, when the light warms the laterite and the hill is almost empty. It is a fine counterpoint to the gilded interiors below and an easy hour for photographers.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
Why is the Church of St Augustine in ruins?
The Augustinian order was expelled in 1835 when Portugal suppressed religious orders. The church was abandoned, and without upkeep the vault and façade collapsed in the 19th century. Only the main tower and foundations survive, conserved today by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Is there an entry fee for St Augustine's tower?
The ruins have generally been open with no charge or a small fee, managed by the Archaeological Survey of India, from morning to around sunset. Rules and fees change, so check current status before you travel.
Is the walk up the Holy Hill difficult?
No. It is a short, gentle climb on a road and paths, and the car can drive most of the way. Allow 90 minutes to see Our Lady of the Rosary and St Augustine's tower without hurrying. Wear shoes with grip, as the laterite can be uneven.
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