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 The famous tourist destination Goa is abundant with beautiful man-made edifices besides the natural beauty of the beaches. Churches of Goa were built during the Portuguese rule between the 16th and 17th century AD. They are an outstanding specimen of fusion between the Renaissance and the Baroque styles of architecture. Some of the churches of Goa are still used as place of worship. Not only Christians but Hindus also pay visit to these churches. The churches of Goa attract equal number of tourists every year as the beaches of Goa. The visit to the churches of Goa is a welcome break for the tourists from the white sandy beaches, azure blue waters, rugged coastline and coconut palms. UNESCO has provided them the status of the World Heritage Site.
There are numerous churches in Goa including the old and the new. The most famous among them are:
Se Cathedral
Se Cathedral was built in the 16th century AD by the Roman Catholic ruler of Goa under the Portuguese rule in old Goa. It is the largest church in Asia and was originally built of mud, stones and straw. Alfonso de Albuquerque captured Goa on 25th November, which is the St. Catherine's Day and therefore dedicated the church to St. Catherine. The church witnessed several alterations and a second church was built in 1515 AD. When the Diocese of Goa was established, its status was elevated to that of a cathedral. The second church was also dismantled. Dom Francisco Continuo, the Count of Redondo begin the construction of the Cathedral in 1562 AD and was completed by 1652 AD under the supervision of Antonio Argueiros and Julio Simao, Chief Engineer to India. The Cathedral is a fine example of the Tuscan-Doric style of architecture from the exterior and the Mosaic-Corinthian style from the interior. There were originally two bell towers in the cathedral but the northern tower broke down on 25th July 1776. The present tower has 5 bells including the Golden Bell, which has the honor of being the biggest bell in the world.
Church of St. Francis Of Assisi
Church of St. Francis of Assisi was constructed by a few Franciscan mendicants who came to Goa in 1517 AD. It was initially a chapel and was qualified to a church in 1521 AD. The church was dedicated to the Holy Spirit on 2nd August 1602 AD. The Portuguese Government gave orders to close the convent in 1835 AD. The church is built in Tuscan style from the exterior and the Mosaic-Corinthian style from the interior. Archaeological Survey of India took over the church and converted it into a museum in 1964. The church museum showcases the antiquities, artifacts, paintings and pieces of Hindu temple sculptures from Goa.
Chapel of St Catherine
The Chapel of St. Catherine is an example of the oppressions done by Alfonso de Albuquerque on Goa. The church is dedicated to St Catherine because Albuquerque captured Goa on 25th November 1510 AD, the St Catherine's Day. The chapel was extended by Governor Jorge in 1550 AD. Pope Paul III bestowed the status of a Cathedral to the chapel vides a Papal Bill in 1534 AD. The Chapel of St. Catherine continued to be a cathedral till Se Cathedral was built.
Basilica of Bom Jesus
The most famous and venerated church of Goa is the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa. The church houses the relics of St. Francis Xavier, Patron Saint of Goa and the Apostle of the Indies. The construction of the church was initiated on the 24th November 1594 AD. The expenses were fulfilled by the funds left by Dom Jeronimos Mascarenhas particularly for this purpose. The church was blessed by Archbishop Dom Fr Aleixo de Menezes blessed on 15th May1605 AD. The church became the only church in India to attain the status of a minor basilica in 1946. The church was built with Doric, Corinthian and Composite styles of architecture. The relics of St. Francis Xavier were put in the church from 1623-55 AD. Saints fingers are displayed to the public on the day of the Feast of St. Francis Xavier, i.e., on 3rd of December every year while the body is put on display once in every ten years. The last pubic display of the body was in 2004.
Church of Lady of Rosary
On the top of the Holy Hill or Monte Santo is the Church of Lady of Rosary. The site is believed to be the very place where Alfonso de Albuquerque led his troops to victory in 1510 AD. It was given the status of a church in 1543 AD. The Franciscans were given the responsibility of looking after the church. From the front, it looks like a fortress rather than a church. In spite of simplicity in design, it is regarded as one of the finest examples of Manueline style architecture of the early Portuguese.
Church of St. Augustine
St Augustine Church was constructed by the 12 Augustian mendicants as they arrived at Goa on 3rd September 1572 AD. The construction of the church was completed by 1602 AD. After a ban put on the religious orders by the Portuguese government, the church was desolated. Both the church and the convent are in ruins now with only the Bell Tower left but without the bell. The bell was taken from here to the Fort Aguada Light House, where it remained from 1841-71 AD. The bell was put on the church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception at Panaji in 1871 AD and is in working condition till today.
Among the other famous churches of Goa are the Church of Mae de Dens, Church of St Catejan, Church of St. Alex, Church of St. Anne, Church of St. Anthony, Church Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, Church of St. Lady of the Mount, Church of Our Lady of Rosary, Church of St. Peter, Church of St. Xavier, Church of the Three Magi Kings, Reis Magos Church, Convent of Santa Monica and Rachol Seminary.
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