Herald

Old Goa, Jan 21: A historical arch dating back to the late 16th century was discovered on Friday at the Portaria (entrance) of the Casa Professa (Professed House), attached to the Bom Jesus Basilica at Old Goa.

When workers of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) were busy carrying out repairs to the wall behind the life-sized statue of St Francis Xavier, they stumbled upon an opening to the wall. They then widened the opening and found an arch, with the faded designs clearly visible.

Speaking exclusively to Herald, Bom Jesus Rector Fr Savio Barretto stated that the Superintending Archaeologist N Taher has said that the ASI would restore and preserve the newly discovered arch.

Commenting on the new find, noted author Fr Moreno de Souza stated that the Casa Professa existed 10 years before the construction of the Basilica.

“The foundation for the Basilica was laid on November 24, 1594 and it was consecrated by the Augustinian Archbishop Alex Menezes on May 6, 1605,” he said.

“I would presume that the newly discovered arch on the wall, below which must have been the altar, was where the Jesuits from Casa Professa celebrated the mass in the chapel,” opined Fr Moreno.

He further disclosed that the arch extends right up to the ‘Pilgrimage of the Heart’ centre.

Meanwhile, the news of the discovery of the arch spread around Old Goa, with curious people rushing to the Basilica to have a look at the arch.