Cultural Itinerary of Francis Xavier
SpainMinisterio de Asuntos Exteriores
Word FileDisclaimer
The Secretariat of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the World Heritage Centre do not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any advice, opinion, statement or other information or documentation provided by the States Parties to the World Heritage Convention to the Secretariat of UNESCO or to the World Heritage Centre.
The publication of any such advice, opinion, statement or other information documentation on the World Heritage Centre’s website and/or on working documents also does not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of UNESCO or of the World Heritage Centre concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its boundaries.
Property names are listed in the language in which they have been submitted by the State Party
Description
The route of St Francis Xavier combines a series of tangible and intangible elements, forming a thread which explains the relations between different societies and cultures. For this reason, the route includes the Castle of Xavier (Pamplona, Navarre), birthplace of St Francis Xavier; Paris (where he studied and began his friendship with St Ignatius of Loyola); Goa, India (where he preached and looked after the ill); Malacca, Malaysia (where he carried out his teachings of the catechism); Kagoshima, Japan (where he translated the doctrine of the Society of Jesus to Japanese); Yamaguchi, Japan (where his preachings became immensely popular); and Sancian, near Canton, where he died. Nowadays he is worshipped in St Paul’s Church in Goa, a centre of pilgrimage not only for Christians but also for Muslims, Hindus and Parsis.