Churches in Goa

One of the major tourist attractions in Goa are Churches. Goan churches are famous for their interesting architecture usually a blend of two or more forms. Legacies of Portuguese colonization, some of Goa’s most famous and magnificent buildings and structures are these churches. Goa, Jewel of India, is studded with churches, which remain as silent but forceful witnesses to the intense religious history of the diverse people who lived here.

Christianity was imposed upon the Goans by the Portuguese during the period of the ‘Inquisition’. Temples were demolished randomly and this continued until 1812. Most of the Churches yhat now exist in Goa were built over the ruins of the demolished temples. Lands were confiscated from the temples and were handed over to the churches and the ‘communidades’.

Most of the churches during the Portuguese rule were built in Old Goa and today Old Goa along with its churches is a world heritage site. Though over a period of time a significant change has come over in the architecture of the churches but the churches built during the Portuguese rule were different. Though each of them had some uniqueness to it yet certain commonness marked them all. Be it the baroque style architecture or the ornated altars.

The importance of these Churches are not just religious or historical, but also architectural. The Churches in Goa are also of social importance, as the contribution of the Church to education in Goa is immense. Today all the churches are part of the Archdiocese of Goa.

St Francis of Assisi
The beautiful whitewashed Church of St. Francis of Assisi, which today houses part of the archaeological museum is located in Old Goa. It is a 17th century structure of religious art. It lies to the west of the Se Cathedral.

The structure is built of laterite blocks and is lime-plastered. The church faces west and has a nave with three chapels on either side, a choir, two altars in the transept and a main altar. To the north of the main altar is a belfry and a sacristy. The convent, which forms an annexure to the church, now houses the Archaeological Museum. In fact, the Church of St. Cajatan, built by an Italian architect in 1651, was modeled in miniature on St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Exhibits include prehistoric items from a distant tribal past as also reminders of Goa Dourada, Golden Goa, also known as the 'Pearl of the Orient' or 'Rome of the East' during its heyday. It was the concentration of magnificent churches, symbol of a powerful conquering presence, which justified this last title.

Inside the church
The interiors are Mosaic Corinthian in style, the arch ribbed, the walls are illustrated with scenes from Bible and vault ribbed. The church has a main altar and two other on either side in the transept, a nave with three chapels on its either side and a choir on first floor. The choir has, in between carved wooden panels, a portrait of Fransiscian hagiology (literature related to their lives). The church has a belfry and a sacristy towards the north of the main altar. A wooden pulpit exquisitely carved with floral patterns on the left welcomes sight as you enter. Buttress walls are adorned with frescoes depicting sophisticated floral designs. These walls inside the structure separate the three chapels and support a gallery above.

The main altar dedicated to St. Francis is heavily ornated, the style is Baroque with Corinthian touch. Also on the altar is an equally large statue of Christ on the cross, underneath are mentioned the three vows of the saint - poverty, humility and obedience. On both sides of the nave are beautiful paintings made on wood illustrating instances of his birth, his first anointment, taking oath and joining the Dominican and other such important instances marking the life of St. Francis. Beneath the main altar is a tabernacle supported by four evangelists. This tabernacle was earlier used for exhibiting the holy sacrament.

Basilica of Bom Jesus
The Bom Jesus Basilica or the Basilica of Bom Jesus is a nine Kilometers journey from the capital Panaji. A a milestone event in the history of Christianity, is the world famous church of Goa, Basilica of Bom Jesus. It is best known for housing the tomb of St. Francis Xavier, the Jesuit missionary to India and Japan.
One church at Goa in India which tourists never fail to visit is the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa which was built in 1605. The history of this Goan church is as interesting as the beautiful architecture that this church in Goa, India, is proud of. Basilica of Bom Jesus has now been declared a World Heritage Monument. The Basilica of Bom Jesus is covered with marble and inlaid with precious stones and paintings depicting the life of St. Francis Xavier. The basilica is considered the finest example of baroque architecture in India.

The church houses the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier, patron saint of Goa, who died while on a sea voyage to China. Though he was buried there, his body was brought back to Goa after two years in accordance with his wish. It was then discovered that the body was still intact. The body at that time was laid in St. Paul's church but after St. Francis Xavier was Canonized in 1662, it was shifted to Basilica of Bom Jesus where it remains till date. This miraculous phenomenon continues to attract the devout from all lands, and an Exposition or public viewing of his body every ten years attracts lakh of pilgrims.In 1946, the Basilica of Bom Jesus became the first church of India to be elevated to the status of Minor Basilica. The chapel attracts large numbers of visitors every year. Declared a world heritage site, Basilica of Bom Jesus stands as a fine example of Jesuit architecture.

Attached to the church is a modern art gallery, the Bom Jesus Church art gallery. It's the first and largest art gallery in Asia. A buttress wall on the northern side is a recent addition to the structure. Basilica also organizes a sound and light show based on the life of Christ, St. Francis Xavier and Blessed Joseph Vaz and the feast is held every year on December 3. The basilica is open from 6 am to 6:30 pm. everyday.

Se Cathedral Church
One of the most ancient and largest churches in Asia, this magnificent 16th century monument to the Roman Catholic rule in Goa under the Portuguese is the largest church in Asia. Se Cathedral is dedicated to St. Catherine as it was on St. Catherine's day, November 25, that Alfonso de Albuquerque, Portuguese Naval General conquered Goa. The original church erected was that of mud, stones and straw. Subsequent modifications were made and a second church came up in 1515. Later the status of church was elevated to a cathedral and the structure demolished to make way for the subsequent building.

Believers are awe-struck to hear of the Cross of Miracles, which is placed in the cathedral, its earlier church having been destroyed. People have had a vision of Christ on this cross and the rock on which it was found was said to spout water while, today, the cross is slowly growing. Earlier, it was at Se Cathedral that the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier were shown to the public.

The Cathedral was commissioned by the Portuguese Viceroy, Redondo to be "a grandiose church worthy of the wealth, power and fame of the Portuguese who dominated the seas from the Atlantic to the Pacific". The final edifice is bigger than any of the churches in Portugal itself. No church in Portugal today can beat Se Cathedral in terms of its size. This west facing church is made in shape of a cross. Construction of body of Cathedral was completed by 1619 and then the Blessed Sacrament was placed on the altar on the feast day of the Guardian Angel amidst great solemnities.

Portuguese Gothic in style, The exterior of the church is a confluence of Tuscan and Doric architecture styles, while the interior is a blend of Mosaic-Corinthian style. In contrast to the Tuscan-inspired mundane exterior the interiors are majestic with an imposing principal chapel. There are four chapels to either side of the main altar. There were originally two towers, one on either side of the façade, but the one on the southern side collapsed in 1776. The loss of one bell tower, which was never rebuilt, has given the building a unique look.

The largest church in Asia also has the prestige of being the seat of Archdiocese of Goa. The church is one of the most sacred buildings for the Christians and has been declared a heritage site by UNESCO. Located opposite the Basilica de Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral is open seven days week 7:30 am to 6:30 pm except during mass. The neighbouring convent is now an Archeological Museum for public viewing and behind the cathedral is the two storeyed Palace of Archbishop. However, this is not in use anymore.