Church of Our Lady of the Rosary is one of the earliest churches of Old Goa. The church is located atop the Monte Santo or the Holy Hill overlooking the Mandovi River and Divar Island. The church is built of laterite and has been plastered with lime mortar. It has a two-storied portico. The portico, and the facade of the church, has rounded towers on either side adorned with a cross on top. The roof of the church is tiled, and is sustained with wooden rafters.

There are two chapels and three altars. The main altar has been dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. The church has been built in Manuline style with touches of Gothic style. It has windows near the roof and also has round towers. The church looks like a fortress church. The rib-vault at the portico has been built in Gothic style. A marble cenotaph has been carved on the right hand side of the main altar. It has been built in honour of Dona Catarina whose marriage with Viceroy Garcia De Sa was performed by St. Francis Xavier. The cenotaph has been decorated beautifully with carved miniature pillars. It can be seen projecting from the wall and has inscriptions written in Portuguese. It has a triangular pediment crowned by a shell moulding. The flowers and plants have been carved as springing out of a vase. Its pattern closely resembles the style portrayed on the tombs of Gujarat. The designs can thus be related to regional art style.

Church of Our Lady of the Rosary was built to accomplish the vow that was taken by Afonso de Albuquerque. He took the vow while perceiving the battle fought between his forces and those of the Bijapur Sultan at the same place where the church has been erected now. However, he died soon and his wish was later fulfilled when the church was built in 1544-49.

Renovation of Church of Our Lady of the Rosary
The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary has been repaired and renovated several times. ASI`s Mini Circle also conducted conservation work in the Church. They replaced the decayed wooden beams and rafters and also the broken tiles of the roof. They also white washed the interior of the church. The walls were also re-plastered. Even the height of the roof was raised. An approach road has been laid from the main gate to the entrance of the church.