St. Anthony Church is located by the side of serene gurgling waters of Chapora River in the small village of Siolim. This holy chapel is dedicated to the St. Anthony of Padua. It lies west to St. Augustine's chapel tower. The church of Our Lady Rosary is also in the close vicinity of the place. This church in its architecture reflects an exotic blend of the Portuguese and Indian culture. Portuguese had great faith in St. Anthony and used to worship him at this church. The great following and devotion at St. Anthony pulls devotees from all over the world towards this church. St. Anthony is revered as the patron of the Portuguese Army and Naval forces.

Interesting Fact About St Anthony Church

• Statue of St. Anthony is seen holding a serpent in this chapel which represents the devil, the Satan. It is said that a dangerous snake was troubling during the construction of this church. The workers along with the priest prayed to the saint and placed his statue there to protect them from that venomous animal. Next day that serpent was found dead by the side of statue.
• St. Anthony is known as the saint of the travelers, pregnant and barren women, of the poor and is a matchmaker saint. He is also summoned for rains and during tough natural times.
• The chapel has faced the disastrous earthquake of 1755 and a great fire in 1927, renovated each time. But the Baroque façade has always remained intact along with the decorated tile panels inside depicting scenes from St Anthony's life.
• The major attraction of this church is the Saint's feast celebrated on June 19th each year when a Procession is taken outs opened to public. But the reason behind this particular date is not known.
• Festival of St. Antony is held in the beginning of the month of May every year, mostly on the second Tuesday, along with the ritualistic conventional festival of June.

How to Reach the Church

The Royal church lies in the small village of Siolim 7km from the Mapusa in North Goa. The chapel lies at the centre of Panjim and is at a distance of 30km from the main city. Nearest Airport is Dabolim and the nearest railway station to the church is in Margo and the Vasco De Gama. The place is well connected with road and you can get both State as well luxury transportations to reach there. You can hire a taxi or a motorbike as well to reach the chapel. Motorbike rides are famous and preferred in Goa.

Best Accommodation Facilities

Accommodation in Goa is a very convenient deal. There is a huge line of Indian and international hotels in Goa, from which you can make your choice as per your pocket. The church is located in Panjim, so you can go for a stay either at Panjim or in North Goa. Easing your pocket you can easily find yourself some of the cheap hotels in Goa.

A few best rated hotels, nearest to the Church are:

• Inn of Long Beach,
• Vagabond Inn Convention Long Beach
• Vagabond Inn Long Beach
• The Varden Hotel
• Long Beach Convention Centre Travelodge
• Courtyard by Marriott Long Beach Downtown
• Rodeway Inn
• The Westin Long Beach

Major Attractions

The Church was constructed in the year 1568 by Franciscans and is amongst one of the first churches made by the great Portuguese warrior, Alfonso de Albuquerque. Built in Corinthian style, the church is known for its architectural beauty. The church was later renovated in 1894 and re-inaugurated in 1961.

Architectural Appeal

The church has an appeasing intricate architectural design. It is painted in sober yellow color, filling the whole ambiance with solemn peace. There are two steeples at the façade and a magnificent statue of St. Anthony holding the serpent on a strap. The church has a rather small semicircular chapel. There is a huge dome shaped altar inside. Main altar has a retable of St. Anthony along with altar dedicated to our Lady of Fever and Sts. Cosimo & Damian. Entrance of the chapel also has a semicircular arch and has twisted pilaster patterns. The chapel outside has a small courtyard floored with laterite blocks. There is a magnificent modern style statue of Christ standing there.

Artistic Appeal

Chapel facade bears a fabulous architectural work. Interiors of the church are very opulent with clerestory windows and a fabulous ornamentation. The shitter has an exclusive depiction of the pelican feeding its children made in a typical Augustinian pattern. The church houses four frescos and pictures of the five doctors of the chapel. A picture of our Lady of fever carrying poem is also there. This poem has two beautiful verses describing the spiritual fever.

Aesthetic Appeal

St. Anthony being the national patron of the Portuguese, this place holds lots of importance and divinity, where people light candles and pray for their welfare. This place for ages has been used for worshiping the holy Saint.

Other Nearby Attractions:

• Siolim Bridge,
• Shri Datta Mandir,
• Sateri Temple,
• Churches at Gaunsavaddo, Marna, Portavaddo, Tarchi Bhatt

Enrich your Goa trip with the exotic beauty of Beaches, Lush Forestry and holiness of churches and pay your homage to the Royal Church of St. Anthony, Siolim, Goa.