Description:
One of Goa's important institutions, the famous and magnificent churches is largely a legacy of Portuguese colonization. Church building was one of the main occupations of the early Portuguese and in fact one of Vasco da Gama's main missions. The most visible legacy of the Portuguese is their churches, not only the imposing monuments, but also more typically white- washed facades nestling among palm trees. Goan Churches have a typical 16th century European architecture with Gothic style influence. The Baroque style architecture also has been heavily used in these churches, with exaggerated interior decorations and intricate details of ornamentation emphasized by gilding and accompanied by sculptured figures.
The important Churches of Goa:
St Francis of Assisi Church, Bom Jesus Basilica, Reis Magos Church, Church of Our Lady of Rosary, Sé Cathedral, St Augustine Tower, Church of St Cajetan, Church of Mary Immaculate Conception
The Church of our Lady of the Rosary:
One of the oldest Churches of Goa, this church was built on the holy hill of Old Goa in 1550. The Church represents a fusion of European and Indian elements; while the wall frescos reveal Hindu designs, those on the alabaster tomb of Dona Catherine, the first Portuguese woman demonstrate the impact of the Muslim-Bijapur style. Built of laterite and plastered with lime mortar, it has a two-storied portico. The roof of the church is tiled, supported by wooden rafters and a wooden cross over it. The exteriors of the church are Manuline in style though Gothic influence can be seen in the rib-vault at the portico.
The Se Cathedral:
One of the most ancient and celebrated religious buildings of Goa, this magnificent 16th century monument to the Roman Catholic rule in Goa under the Portuguese is the largest church in Asia. The most imposing of all churches, the Se Cathedral overwhelms the visitor with its grandeur and awesome presence. Dedicated to St Catherine, the cathedral, close to the Bom Jesus Basilica, has five bells. One of the bells is called the Golden Bell, due to the sweet sound it produces. The final edifice of this magnificent building is bigger than any of the churches in Portugal itself. The building is Portuguese-Gothic in style with a Tuscan exterior and Corinthian interior. The main altar is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria, and old paintings on either side of it depict scenes from her life and martyrdom. The adjoining convent has been turned in to an Archeological Museum and is open to the public.
St. Augustine Tower:
Built in 1602, the only ruin of the Church of St. Augustine on the Holy Hill at Old Goa near the Nunnery, is a lofty 46-metre high tower defying the torrential rains. The tower is one of the four of St. Augustine Churches that once stood there. This highly visible landmark, the high tower served as a belfry and formed part of the facade of a magnificent Church. The Tower was meant to serve as a belfry and the Church had eight richly adorned chapels and four altars and a convent with numerous cells attached to it.
The Church of St. Cajetan:
The church dedicated to Our Lady of Divine Providence, the church is named after the founder of the Theatine order, St. Cajetan, a contemporary of St Francis Xavier. This church, which is said to have been modelled on the original design of the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome, is architecturally Corinthian both externally and internally while the gilded altars with rich carvings are in rich Baroque style. The Church building itself is built of laterite blocks which are lime plastered. Inside a clever use of internal buttresses and four huge pillars has turned the interior into a cruciform. Profusely carved and gilded in Baroque style, the six altars have twisted shafts dominated by figures of angels. The altars also have Italian school paintings on canvas, some depicting scenes from the life of St. Cajetan.
