St. Augustine Tower - Majestic Ruins in Old Goa

The church and monastery were constructed by Augustinian friars who arrived in Goa in 1587. The church construction began in 1597 and was completed in 1602. It was a grand structure with eight chapels, a convent, and an impressive vaulted ceiling. In 1835, the Portuguese government expelled all religious orders, and the complex was abandoned. The church fell into neglect; its main vault collapsed in 1842. The facade crumbled in 1931, followed by another part of the tower in 1938, leaving the single structure we see today. The site is now protected by the ASI.

The St. Augustine Tower is a vital part of the 'Churches and Convents of Goa' UNESCO World Heritage Site. It stands as a powerful symbol of the rise and fall of Portuguese influence and the once-thriving city of Old Goa. Architecturally, it represents the scale and ambition of religious structures built during that era. The site also gained archaeological importance with the discovery of the relics of the martyred Georgian Queen Ketevan, who was held captive and died in Goa in the 17th century, confirming historical accounts.