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More About India |
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Old Goa
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Spiritual Heart of Portuguese Goa |
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Sightseeing |
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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 |
 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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Convent &
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) |
 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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