Immaculate Conception Church and Altinho
The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception stands at the head of Panjim's main square. A church has stood here since the 16th century, when Panjim was a landing place for ships bound for Old Goa, and sailors stopped to give thanks after the voyage from Lisbon. The present building was rebuilt in the early 17th century, and the double stairway in front was added in the 19th.
Inside, the church is simpler than those of Old Goa, with a gilded main altar and two side altars. The bell in the central tower, among the largest in Goa, is said to have come from the Church of St Augustine at Old Goa. In December, the church is lit at night and the square fills for the feast of the Immaculate Conception.
From the church, we drive up Altinho, the residential hill of old Panjim, past the Archbishop's Palace and the old houses of the Portuguese administration. There are clear views from the top over the city grid, the river and the bridges toward Porvorim. It pairs well with the Fontainhas walk or with a late afternoon visit before dinner.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
What are the visiting hours of the Immaculate Conception Church?
The church is generally open to visitors in the morning and late afternoon, with masses at set times each day and more on Sundays. Hours change for feasts and services, so check current status before you travel. Visitors should not walk around during mass.
Is there a dress code for the church?
Shoulders and knees should be covered, for both men and women. Hats should be removed inside. Photography of the interior is usually allowed outside service times, but flash and photography during mass are not.
When is the feast of the Immaculate Conception in Panjim?
The feast falls on 8 December. The church is lit up for the days around it, a fair fills the streets below, and the square is busy in the evenings. It is a good time to see the church at its most festive.
Also in Panjim and Fontainhas
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