The church was originally a five-story structure before the collapse of its facade and vault.
Excavations in the early 2000s uncovered the remains of Queen Ketevan of Georgia, who was martyred in Persia in 1624.
The original church featured eight chapels and four altars, showcasing high-renaissance architectural influence.
The tower survived the structural collapse because its construction integrated more robust masonry than the main nave.
The Augustinian Order abandoned the monastery in 1835 following the Portuguese government's decree to suppress religious orders.
St. Augustine Tower is the solitary, 46-meter-high remaining section of the 17th-century Church of St. Augustine in Old Goa. Originally constructed in 1602 by Augustinian friars, the structure stood as one of the largest churches in Goa before its abandonment in 1835 due to the suppression of religious orders by the Portuguese government. Following the departure of the monks, the vault collapsed in 1842, leading to the eventual disintegration of the church’s main body. Today, the site features the four-story belfry and remnants of the church's foundation, which reveal the massive scale of the original five-altar layout. Archaeological excavations have identified eight chapels, four altars, and a convent attached to the church. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage site as part of the Churches and Convents of Old Goa complex. The tower is built using laterite stone, a material characteristic of colonial Goan architecture. It stands on Monte Santo, or Holy Hill, overlooking the surrounding historic ruins.
From the base of the tower looking upward, capturing the contrast of the red laterite stone against the sky.
Wear sturdy walking shoes, as the site involves traversing uneven, grassy, and rocky terrain.
Bring a hat and sunscreen, as the area provides minimal shade.
Visit during the early morning to avoid the intense midday heat typical of the Goan climate.
Attempting to climb the unstable rubble or straying past the restricted safety barriers.
Maintain a respectful demeanor as it is a former religious site; keep to marked paths to protect the ruins.
