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The churches are the most visited landmarks in Goa. The churches
reveals the rich and religious heritage of Goa and are monuments in
stone. They are of great interest to the historians, archaeologists,
students of art and architecture, tourists and intellects. The
churches of Old Goa, built in the 16th and 17th centuries, are built
in the baroque Renaissance style with some Gothic touches. But its
inside is derived from European and Indian elements. The “Church of
Old Goa” has also received recognition by UNESCO as a World Heritage
Site. It is a popular tourist attraction in Goa. Some famous
churches in Goa are the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, Chapel
of st. Xavier, St. Monica Church, St. Francis Church and St.
Augustine Church. |
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Basilica of Bom
Jesus |
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The Basilica of Bom Jesus is dedicated to infant (Bom) Jesus
Christ. The Basilica of Bom Jesus is famous throughout the
Roman Catholic world. This church houses the Holy sacrament
and the body of St. Francis Xavier. In this church, the
embalmed body of Goa’s patron saint, St. Francis Xavier is
kept in the perfectly preserved state since his death, almost
450 years ago. The construction of the church was started in
1594 and completed in 1605. Its richly gilded main alter has
the figure of infant Jesus. Up above, there is a big statue of
St. Lgnatium of Loyola, the founder of the order of Jesuit.
The Holy Trinity of the father, the son and the Holy Ghost are
depicted on a medallion. |
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Se Cathedral |
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Se Cathedral is the largest church in Goa, India and Asia. The
original building was built of mud, stones and straw in 1510
and was dedicated to St. Catherine, as on 25th Nov, the St.
Catherine’s day, Alfonso de Albuquerque conquered Goa. The
Portuguese viceroy, Dam Francisco Coutinho, the Count of
Redondo commissioned its construction. The construction was
started in 1562 and completed in 1652. The Dam Francisco
Coutinho wanted this church to be a grand church worthy of
wealth, power and fame of the Portuguese who dominated the
seas from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Se Cathedral has 14
altars, a 80 meter long aisle and 5 bells. Out of these 5
bells, one of the bell is the famous ”Golden bell”. The aisle,
with its ornamental embellishments culminates in a magnificent
gilt alter. |
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The Chapel of St.
Xavier |
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The Chapel of St. Xavier belongs to the Doric oder
architecturally. The Chapel was located within the College of
St. Paul and was dedicated either to St. Anthony or to St.
Jerome. As the Chapel was used by St. Francis Xavier, it was
re-dedicated to him after his canonization in 1622. The
original Chapel fell into ruins in 1570 and the present Chapel
was rebuilt in 1884. |
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Church of St. Alex |
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The Church of St. Alex, with its two towers, ornated altars
and a magnificent dome displays the beauty of the
architectural style. |
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Ries Magos Church |
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The Ries Magos Church is also known as the Church of the Three
Magi King. This church was built in 1555. Once this church was
the mission center of the Franciscan Order of Monks and later
it became the official residence of the Portuguese
dignitaries. |
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Church of Mae de
Deus |
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The Church of Mae de Deus is situated about 13 kms. from
Panaji in the Saligo village, amidst picturesque surroundings.
This beautiful church is the finest piece of Gothic style of
architecture. This church houses the miraculous statue of Mae
de Deus (Mother of God). |
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Church of St. Andrew |
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The Church of St. Andrew is situated at the northern end of
Velha Goa. In this church, a fortnight before Easter, 30
status of the saints were stolen. Later, these were paraded
around the roads of the village. |
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Church and Convent
Of St. Monica |
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The Convent of St. Monica was sanctioned in 1598 and its
foundation was laid on 2nd July, 1606 by the Arch bishop Dom
Frei Alexio de Menezes who was also the Governor of Portuguese
India. Its work was completed in 1627. It is a huge three
storied building of laterite with a large inner courtyard. The
halls are painted with floral decorations and scenes from the
Holy Bible. The convent was later known as the Royal Monastery
of Santa Monica. It was also the first nunnery of the East. |
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Church of St. Francis of
Assisi |
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The Church of St. Francis was built by eight Franciscan Friars
who, constructed a small Chapel after their arrival in 1517,
featuring three altars and a choir. This Chapel was destroyed
in 1661 and the present church was rebuilt retaining its
exquisitely carved old gate made of black stone. The church
has a courtyard and an old large cross made of black stone.
Its external architecture belongs to the Tuscan order and its
interior belongs to the mosaic Corinthian style. Its length is
about 190 feet and breadth is about 60 feet. |
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The Chapel of Our Lady of The
Mount |
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The Chapel of Our Lady of The Mount is situated on an
elevation. This Chapel is built of laterite and plastered with
lime mortar. It has three main altars which are dedicated to
Our Lady of the Mount, St. Anthony and St. Andrew. This Chapel
was built under the orders of Afonso de Albuquerque in 1510. |
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Church of Our Lady of
the Rosary |
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The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary was built by Alfonso de
Albuquerque. Its façade has the appearance of a fortress. In
front of its altar lies the tombstone of Garcia de Sa, one of
the early governors of Goa and his wife Caterina a Piro, the
first Portuguese woman to arrive in Goa. This church is a fine
example of “Manueline” style of architecture of the early
Portuguese. Its interior is simple and has five altars. The
main altar bears the image of Nossa Senhora de Rozario or Our
Lady of the Rosary. |
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St. Cajetan Church |
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The St. Cajetan Church was built by Italian friars of the
order of Theatines in 1640. The friars were missionaries
appointed by the Pope Urban VIII to preach Christianity to the
Kingdom of Golconda. The church is dedicated to our Lady of
Divine Providence but is popularly known as the St. Cajetan
Church after the founder of the order of Theatines. The St.
Cajetan Church has been modeled after the Basilica of St.
Peter’s in Rome. Its length is about 121 feet and breadth is
about 81 feet. It is built of laterite stone and lime
plastered. The external architecture is Corinthian and the
interior is mosaic – Corinthian style of architecture. |
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Chapel Of St. Anthony |
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The Chapel Of St. Anthony is dedicated to St. Anthony, the
patron saint of the Portuguese army and navy. This Chapel is
also one of the earliest Chapel to be built in Goa by Alfonso
de Albuquerque. It was destroyed in 1835 and rebuilt in 1961
by the last Governor General of Goa, Vassalo de Silva. |
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Convent and Church of
St. Augustine |
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The Convent of St. Augustine is now completely in ruins. This
convent was constructed by 12 Augustinian Fraiars in 1572
immediately after their arrival in Goa on 3rd September 1572.
It was reportedly in good shape until it was abandoned in 1853
following the banning of religious orders by the Portuguese
government. The church fell into neglect and its voult was
collapsed in 1842. Today, only a bell town without the bell is
left. |
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Rachol Seminary |
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Rachol Seminary is located about 12 kms from Margoa in south
of Goa. In 1521 the Portuguese, in their customary fashion
first built a church and then a prison, and later in 1574 a
seminary to impart philosophy and theology. The museum of
Christian art is housed in this Seminary. |
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Church of St. Anne |
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The Church of St. Anne was built in 1695 on the banks of the
Siridao river at Talaulim. The unique feature of this church
are the hollow walls, through which people could walk in
secrecy for the confession. |
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