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GOA |
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CHURCHES
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| Se
Cathedral |
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 The
largest Churches in Old Goa, Se Cathedral was begun in 1562 during
the reign of King Dom Sebastiao (1557-8). It was substantially
completed by 1619, though the altars were not finished until 1652.
The cathedral was built for the Dominicans and paid for by royal
treasury out of the proceeds of the sale of crown property.
The building's style is Portuguese-Gothic
with a Tuscan exterior and Corinthian interior. They were once two
tower a, one either side of the facade, but one collapsed in 1776
The remaining tower houses a famous bell, one of the largest in Goa,
often called Golden Bell because its rich sound. The main altar is
dedicated to St Catherine of Alexandra, and painting on either side
of it depict scenes from life and martydom.
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| Convent &
Church of St Francis of Assisi |
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This is one of the most interesting
building in Old Goa. It contain gilded and carved woodwork, old
murals depicting scenes from the life of St Francis, and a floor
substantially made of carved gravestones-complete with family coats
of arms dating back to the early 16th century. The church was built
by eight Franciscan friars who arrives here in 1517 and constructed
a small chapel consisting of three altars and a choir. This was
later pulled down and the present building was built on the same
spot in 1661.
The convent at
the back of this church is now the Archaeological Museum
(open Saturday to Thursday, 10 am to 5 pm; free entry).
It is home to many portraits of the Portuguese viceroys, most of
them inexpertly touched up or restored; fragments of sculpture from
Chalukyan and Hoysala influences; stone Vetal images from the
animist cult which flourished in this part of India Centuries ago;
and model of a Portuguese carvel, minus the
rigging.
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| Church of St
Cajetan |
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 Modeled on the original design of St Peter's in
Rome, this church was built by
Italian friars of the Order of Theatines, who were sent by Pope
Urban III to preach Christianity in the kingdom of Golconda
( near Hyderabad ). The friars were
not permitted to work in Golconda, so settled at Old Goa in 1640.
The construction of the church began in 1655. Historically, It's of
much less interest than the other churches.
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| Church of St
Augustine Ruins |
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All that is really left of this church is the
enormous 46 meters tower which served as a belfry and formed part of
the facade of the church. The few other remnants are choked with
creepers and weeds, and access is difficult. The church was
constructed in 1602 by Augustine friars who arrived at Old Goa in
1587. It was abandoned in 1835 due to the repressive policies of the
Portuguese government, which was resulted in the eviction of many
religious orders from Goa. The church fell into neglect and the
vault collapsed in 1842. In 1931, the facade and half the tower fell
down, followed by more sections in 1938.
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| Church of St
Monica |
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 This huge three storey laterite building was completed in
1627, only to burn down nine years later. Reconstruction started the
following year, and its from this time that the building date. Once
known as the Royal Monastery, due to the royal patronage which it
enjoyed, the building is now used by the Master Dei Institute as a
nunnery and was inaugurated in 1964. Visitors are allowed inside if
they are reasonably dressed. There are fading murals on the inside
of the western walls. |
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| The Basilica of
Bom Jesus(1594) |
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The world-renowned church contains the body of St.
Francis Xavier, a former pupil of soldier
 - turned - saint,
Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Order of Jesuits. St. Francis
Xavier remains the principal spiritual treasure of the territory.
The Jesuits began work on their own church in 1594. By 1605 it was
finished and consecrated. In 1613 the body of St. Francis was
brought there from the Clooege of ST Paul. It was moved into the
church in 1624 and its present chapel in 1655 where it has remained
ever since. St. Francis was canonized by Pope Gregory XV in 1622 and
in 1624 and 1964 Pope XII raised the church to minor basilica.
The Order of Jesuits was suppressed in 1759 and its property
confiscated by the State. The church was, however allowed to
continue services. The Professed House, next door
to the basilica, is a two storey laterite building covered with lime
plaster. It was completed in 1585, despite much opposition to the
Jesuits. Part of the building burned down in 1633 and was partially
rebuilt in 1783. There's a modern art gallery attached to
basilica. |
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| Rela Magos
Church |
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It is 7kms, The Rela Magos Church was constructed
in 1555. It is one of the earliest churches built in Goa and the
first in Bardez Taluka, dedicated to three Magi-Kings -( Gaspar,
Melchior, and Balthazar). This church was once the residence of all
dignitaries and also a mission centre of the Franciscan order. There
is a fort adjacent to this Church.
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| The Church of Mae
de Deus at Saligoa (Bardez): |
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13kms, built in 1873, is situated amidst
picturesque surroundings. The shrine of the miraculous statue of Mae
de Deus (Mother of God) was brought from the ruins of the convent of
Mae de Deus at Old Goa. This beautiful church is the finest piece of
Gothic style. |
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| The Church of St.
Alex at Curtorim: |
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 9kms,
from Margoa. It is one of the oldest churches in Goa, built in 1597
on the site of Hindu shrine, named Ravalnath, the remnants of which
are visible till today. |
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| The Church of St
Ana at Talaulim: |
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11kms, dedicated to St Ana, is a
remarkable piece of ancient Christian architecture. It was built in
1695 on the right bank of Siridao river and has picturesque
surroundings. The unique feature of this church is that it has
hollow walls through which people could talk in secrecy for the
purpose of confession.
St .Jerome's Mapusa
The church was built in 1594 on the remains of the chief
pagoda of the place, whose idol was removed
to Dargalim. It has 3 altars. The main one begin dedicated to
Our Lady of Miracles, whose statue with the child Jesus is
clothed in golden cloth and placed prominently above the main altar,
which is as richly carved as the pulpit. The ceiling of this church
is intricately patterned with strips of wood. Our Lady of Miracles
is held in great veneration by both Hindu and Christians. The Feast
is celebrated on the second Monday after Easter. A week long fair,
spread in itself in the areas surrounding the church. Furniture,
hand carved wooden toys, pottery , roasted gram are
sold. |
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