Goa Churches
One
of Goa's important institutions, Goa's famous and magnificent churches are 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 for finding the sea route to India
was to "seek Christians and spices".
Christianity was forced upon with religious fervor by the Portuguese during
the period of the "Inquisition" with wide scale destruction of temples
and this continued till the official end of the "Inquisition" in Goa
in 1812. Most of Goa's churches were built on the very site of former temples.
The confiscated lands of the temples were handed over to the church and the
communidades. In fact, the first Hindu temple allowed to be constructed by the
Portuguese in 300 years was in 1818 at Panaji.
With a significant population of Goans being Christians for many generations
today, the Church is an important factor in Goa's social , cultural and religious
life. For example, the contribution of the Church to education in Goa is immense.
Today the churches are all part of the Archdiocese of Goa and function with
its help, many are also protected sites.
Se Cathedral Church: One of the
most ancient and celebrated religious buildings of Goa, this magnificent 16th
century monument.
more about Se Cathedral
Church
Ruins of Church of St. Augustine:
This highly visible landmark, a 46m-high tower served as a belfry and formed
part of the facade of a magnificent Church.
more about Ruins of Church of St. Augustine
The Church of St. Anne at Talaulim.
Ilhas: Of all the churches in Goa, the most ostentious and notable for
its excellent architeture is that of St Anne.
more about The Church of St. Anne at Talaulim. Ilhas
Basilica of Bom Jesus: This is
the only church in Old Goa, which is not plastered on the outside, the lime
plaster having been stripped off by a zealous Portuguese conservationist in
1950.
more about Basilica of Bom Jesus
Reis Magos Church: The small hamlet
of Reis Magos lies on banks of the Mandovi river and is home to two famous landmarks
of Goa - the Reis Magos fort and the Reis Magos Church.
more about Reis Magos Church
St. Cajetan Church: The large and
beautiful Church of St. Cajetan, lies about half a kilometer away to the north
east of the Se Cathedral, and quite near the ruins of the Viceregal Palace.
more about St. cajethan Church
Church of St. Francis of Assissi:
To the west of the Se Cathedral is the former palace of the Archbishop that
connects the Se Cathedral to the Convent and Church of St. Francis of Assisi.
more about Church of St. Francis of Assissi
Church of St Paul: It was started as
a seminary of the Holy Faith for training young converts by two priests Diogo
de Borba and Miguel Vaz who had established the Santa Fé confraternity.
more about Church of St Paul
Church of Mary Immaculate Conception:
The church was one of the first to be built in Goa, certainly being there by
1541.
more about Church of Mary Immaculate
