Chapel of Our Lady of the Mount

The Chapel of Our Lady of the Mount is a 16th-century Roman Catholic heritage church located on Monte Santo hill in Old Goa, Goa. Built between 1510 and 1519 by Afonso de Albuquerque to commemorate his victory over Adil Shah, it is one of the oldest surviving churches in the city. The chapel features Baroque architecture with Mannerist influences and offers panoramic views of the Mandovi River and Divar Island. It was restored in 2001 by Fundação Oriente and hosts the annual Monte Music Festival.

Visitors can expect to see a historic whitewashed chapel with laterite stone walls and Mangalore tile roofing situated atop a hillock. The site provides scenic views of the Mandovi River, Old Goa, and the islands of Divar and Chorao. Access involves climbing a zigzagging double staircase of 78 steps added in 1871. The interior features a restored main altar dedicated to Our Lady and a marble plaque from 1931 commemorating the 1510 battle. The chapel is generally quiet and less crowded than other Old Goa monuments.

Built between 1510 and 1519 by Portuguese Governor Afonso de Albuquerque to fulfill a vow after defeating Sultan Adil Shah's forces who had positioned artillery on this hill during the conquest of Goa. The chapel marks the strategic site where Mohammedan artillery stood against Albuquerque in May 1510. It has been rebuilt twice and was restored in 2001 by Fundação Oriente in association with the State government and Archdiocese of Goa.

Hosts the annual Monte Music Festival organized by Fundação Oriente and Kala Academy every February, integrating Indian and Western classical music traditions. Mass is celebrated on the 8th of each month, and the feast of Our Lady of the Mount is observed in September with a High Mass.