Se
Cathedral at Old Goa - The largest
church in Asia, the cathedral in Old Goa,
is a mighty 16th century monument to the
Roman Catholic rule of Goa under the Portuguese.
It's huge Golden Bell is the biggest in
the world. The Church has 14 side chapels;
the last chapel, in Mauresque style, preserves
a cross upon which a vision of Christ
is said to have appeared in 1919.
St. Francis of Assisi at Old Goa
- Adjacent to the Cathedral. Built in
pure Manueline style, the interior is
adorned with a profusion of carvings and
exquisite paintings. The convent at the
back of this church is now the Archaeological
Museum. It houses many portraits of the
Portuguese Viceroys and fragments of sculpture
from Hindu temple sites in Goa.
Bom
Jesus Basilica - Partially in ruins
but awesome still, it is a fine example
of Jesuit architecture. The church's most
precious relic is the embalmed body of
St. Francis Xavier entombed in a marble
mausoleum presented by the Duke of Tuscany,
who received the Saint's pillow in exchange.
Once every 10 years, the mortal remains
of St. Francis Xavier are exposed for
public veneration. It was last exposed
in 1994.
|
Lady
of the Mount - Located near Ponda,
this was apparently the vantage point
from where Adil Shah beat back the Portuguese
only to meet his doom few months later.
Ironically the view from this hill of
the imposing and towering churches below,
built by the Portuguese, who finally wrested
Goa from the Muslims, is wonderful yet
poignant. Interestingly mass is still
held at this church on the 8th of every
month.
Santa
Monica cloister - Located on the
Holy Hill, in Old Goa, a visit into this
crumbling convent, that is still occupied
by nuns and is one of the largest in Asia,
transports one into another era.
St.
Augustine Tower - This is the largest
church in Goa. Bear with the weeds and
rubble to visit the spot where the Augustinians
lived when they first arrived in Goa in
the 1500s.
St.
Cajetan Church - This church is
built on the lines of St. Peter's Basilica
in Rome. Interesting to note are the interiors
decorated in pure, unrestrained baroque,
the intricately carved pulpit. Of interest
is the covered well inside that indicates
that the site was one perhaps a temple.
Walk over to the side to see the doorway
that once was the entrance to an Islamic
palace belonging to Adil Shah, the ruler
of Goa before the Portuguese disembarked. |
