Reis Magos Church - Front view - stock photo

The Reis Magos Church or Church of the Three Magi Kings was built by Franciscan Friars in AD 1555 in the town of Reis Magos. They were in charge of missionary work for the area and so took over the church and founded a small seminary there. Reis Magos is a town lying beside the Mandovi River. This town is famous for two of Goa's very famous buildings; they are the Reis Magos fort and the Reis Magos Church. Of three churches in Goa, the Reis Magos Church is one where the Feast of the Three Wise Men is celebrated every year - and celebrated the most aplomb. The Reis Magos Church has a whitewashed gabled facade. The church is dedicated to St Jerome and was built shortly after the fort that stands above it. The Church and the Seminary became a well established site for learning. There is an imprint of the Portuguese royal coat of arms, at the top of the gable, just below the crucifix, that stands as a proof to this fact. Two of Goa's Former Viceroys lie inhumed in the Reis Magos Church also. The Reis Magos Church also holds assumed evidence to the fact that the Church was built on the ruins of an old Hindu temple. There are two bas-relief lion figures, at the start of the steps that lead to the Church, which are reminiscent of the Hindu Vijayanagar temple architecture. The interiors of the Reis Magos Chruch is Baroque and colourful. The chief feature of this style is displayed in the colorful wood carvings that picture the Three Wise Men or the Three Magi Kings (Reis Magos) bearing gifts to the infant Jesus. This piece of work finds pride of place at the top of the main alter. On the 6th of January, every year, Reis Magos comes alive with the colorful 'Festa dos Reis Magos' Feast of the Three Wise Men. During this festival, the Biblical story of the three Kings and their journey to the Infant Jesus is acted out by local youth, who play the parts of the Magi. The festivities are marked with a procession that goes around the village.