The
churches of Goa are famous throughout the world for their
unique architecture, exquisite locations and beautiful paintings
and frescoes. Some of the most famous ones are Church of
Our Lady of Rosary, the Rachol Seminary, Church of St. Francis
of Assisi, Se Cathedral and Basilica of Bom Jesus. Some
of the other churches include the 16th century Reis Magos
Church or Church of the Three Magi Kings, which was once
a mission center of the Franciscan Monks. Church of Mae
de Dens or Mother of God at Bardez Taluka, Saligao with
its exemplary Gothic architecture was known for a statue
that was brought in from a convent and was known for its
miraculous powers.
The 16th century Church of St. Alex at Curtorim, Church
of St. Anne or Santana at Talaulin Iltias is situated on
the bank of River Siridao and is dedicated to the Mother
of Mary. Church of Our Lady of Rosary is situated atop the
Holy Hill in Velha Goa or Old Goa. It is one of the earliest
churches here. One of the oldest churches dedicated to Virgin
Mary, the church situated in Panajim or Panaji is dedicated
to Our Lady of Immaculate Conception. The huge Convent of
Santa Monica built in 1606 was the first Nunnery in Asia.
The Rachol Seminary in South Goa was originally a Muslim
fortress, converted to Church by the Portuguese. Later they
used it as a prison till the late 16th century when it acquired
respectability as a seminary for Theological Studies.
Se Cathedral
Dedicated to St. Catherine was built to commemorate the
victory of Alfonso de Albuquerque over Goa on 25th November
1510, which was also her feast day. The highlight of the
church is the Cross of Miracles, where many people have
had a vision of Christ and the rock on which it was found,
was said to spout water. The cross glows slowly today. Se
Cathedral was once the venue of displaying the sacred relics
of St. Francis Xavier shown to the public. Nearby is the
Church of St. Francis of Assisi housing part of the archaeological
museum that exhibits prehistoric items from a distant tribal
past to the ruins of Goa Dourada, which was the concentration
of magnificent churches. It also houses the remains of the
Church of St. Cajatan built in 1651 by an Italian architect
as a miniature model of famous St. Peter's Basilica in Rome
and a theological college.
The church of St. Lawrence near Fort Aguada is dedicated
to the saint of the sailors and was built as a strategy
of the Portuguese to build churches on the outskirts of
the forts to prevent the enemy from firing at a close range.
Church of St. Francis of Assisi
Not
far away stands the beautiful whitewashed Church of St.
Francis of Assisi, which today houses part of the archaeological
museum. 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. 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. Today a theological college
is housed here.
Basilica of Bom Jesus
Visitors from India and overseas flock to the Basilica
of Bom Jesus in Old Goa, built in 1605, and now declared
a World Heritage Monument. The church houses the sacred
relics of St. Francis Xavier, patron saint of Goa, who died
while on a sea voyage to China on December 2,1552. The following
year, while transferring his remains to Goa, in accordance
with his wishes, it was found that the saint's body was
as fresh as the day it was buried. This miraculous phenomenon
continues to attract the devout of all lands and an Exposition
or public viewing of his body every ten years attracts lakhs
of pilgrims. During the 450 years of Portuguese rule in
Goa, St. Francis Xavier was believed to have afforded protection
to the rulers who handed over their symbols of office to
the saint during every changeover of the office of Governor
General. The Saint had miraculous healing powers, which
were experienced by the erstwhile Nizam of Hyderabad when
he came for the Exposition of 1878.
The Rachol Seminary
The Rachol Seminary in South Goa has a chequered past. Originally
a Muslim fortress it was first converted by the Portuguese
into a church and later into a prison. In the late 16th
century, it acquired respectability as a seminary for Theological
Studies, with the Jesuits rechristening it from College
of All Saints to the College of St. Ignatius Loyala, the
name of their Founder.
Church
of Our Lady of Rosary.
In Velha Goa or Old Goa, crowning a hill, which was known
as the Holy hill, is one of the earliest churches, the Church
of Our Lady of Rosary. In Panajim or Panaji, as Goa's capital
is called today, the oldest Church is dedicated to Our Lady
of Immaculate Conception. The huge Convent of Santa Monica,
dating from 1606, was the first Nunnery in Asia. Today,
after centuries of changing fortunes, it has been restored
and is once again a residential convent
