About Royal Chapel of St. Anthony
The Royal Chapel of St. Anthony is a 17th-century semicircular chapel located in Old Goa near the ruins of the Convent of St. Augustine. Founded in 1543 on Monte Santo, it is dedicated to St. Anthony, patron saint of the Portuguese army and navy. The chapel features unique architecture with twisted pilasters, clerestory windows, and frescoes depicting the Doctors of the Church. It was declared a national monument in 1932 and remains an active religious site within the UNESCO World Heritage precinct.
Visitors guide
Visitors can explore a small semicircular chapel with a fortress-like facade featuring twisted pilasters and a semi-circular arch doorway. The interior contains a vaulted chancel, a main altar with a statue of St. Anthony, side altars dedicated to Our Lady of Fever and Saints Cosmas and Damian, and four frescoes depicting the Doctors of the Church. The chapel is situated opposite the St. Augustine Tower ruins and south of the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary within the Old Goa heritage complex.
Key highlights
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Unique semicircular architecture with twisted pilasters not found in other Goan chapels
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Four frescoes depicting the five Doctors of the Church on interior walls
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Main altar statue of St. Anthony historically granted rank of army captain with salary
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Side altars dedicated to Our Lady of Fever and Saints Cosmas and Damian
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Declared a national monument in 1932
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Located opposite St. Augustine Tower ruins within UNESCO World Heritage site
History of Royal Chapel of St. Anthony
Founded in 1543 by a Portuguese friar on Monte Santo, the chapel was built during the early Portuguese conquest of Goa. It was managed by the Cathedral Chapter until 1606 when administration transferred to the Augustinians. Closed in 1835 following dissolution of religious orders, it reopened in 1894 after state-funded restoration. The Portuguese Government completed full restoration in 1961 under Governor General Vassalo de Silva. Declared a national monument in 1932, it represents early Portuguese ecclesiastical architecture in Goa.
Culture & Context
St. Anthony is revered as patron saint of the Portuguese army and navy, making this chapel significant to Portuguese military history in Goa. The statue of St. Anthony was historically given the rank of army captain with salary, which was ceremonially deposited at the State Treasury Office. The annual feast on June 13 features a procession attracting devotees worldwide. The chapel now serves as the formation house for the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth congregation.