About Chapel of St. Sebastian
The Chapel of St. Sebastian is a whitewashed heritage chapel built in 1818 located in the Fontainhas Latin Quarter of Panaji, Goa. It is historically significant for housing a rare crucifix with open eyes that originally stood in the Palace of the Inquisition in Old Goa. The chapel was dedicated to St. Sebastian, who was venerated for protection against plague and pests. It remains an active religious site and a notable landmark within the historic Portuguese quarter.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect to see a small whitewashed chapel featuring Portuguese-Baroque architecture situated in the colorful Fontainhas quarter. The interior houses a unique crucifix depicting Christ with open eyes, a statue of the Virgin Mary, marquetry chests, and carved screens from Diu. A century-old well is attached to the premises. The chapel is an active place of worship with specific visiting hours and mass timings.
Key highlights
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Built in 1818 in the historic Fontainhas Latin Quarter
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Houses a rare Inquisition-era crucifix with Christ's eyes open
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Contains marquetry chests and carved screens from a church in Diu
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Features a century-old well still filled with water
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Site of the annual Feast of Our Lady of Livrament in mid-November
History of Chapel of St. Sebastian
Built in 1818, the chapel is dedicated to St. Sebastian who was invoked for deliverance from plague and pests in Old Goa. It houses a crucifix that served as testimony during the Goan Inquisition (1560) and was previously located in the Palace of the Inquisition and Adil Shah Palace before being moved to its current site.
Culture & Context
The chapel serves as a focal point for the Fontainhas community, hosting the annual Feast of Our Lady of Livrament with a street fair in mid-November. It represents the enduring Portuguese-Catholic heritage of Goa's Latin Quarter and contains artifacts linking it to both the Inquisition era and former Portuguese territories like Diu.
Route
| By train |
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