The churches in Goa are built during the period between16th and 17th century AD and are a legacy of the Portuguese. They are generally built of laterite and lime plaster. The famous churches of old Goa comprises of Se' Cathedral, Church and Convent of St. Francis of Assisi, Chapel of St. Catherine, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Church of Lady of Rosary and the Church of St Augustine. The churches display a combination of the Renaissance and Baroque styles. These churches and convents in old Goa are architectural masterpieces and are listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even today, these churches stand tall with plenty of historical importance. They have always attracted immense interest for tourists whether Indian or foreigners.
Se Cathedral Se Cathedral is the largest church in Asia. The cathedral in Old Goa was built in the 16th century AD by the Roman Catholic rule of Goa under the Portuguese rule. The original building was built of mud, stones and straw. It was dedicated to St. Catherine because on 25th November, St. Catherine's Day, Alfonso de Albuquerque captured Goa. It underwent several alterations afterwards and a second church was built in 1515 AD.
Church of St. Francis Of Assisi, Old Goa Church of St. Francis of Assisi is situated to the west of Se Cathedral in the Convent of St. Francis of Assisi. These were made by the Franciscan mendicants, 8 of whom came to Goa in 1517 AD. It was initially a chapel and modified into a church in 1521 AD, dedicated to the Holy Spirit on 2nd August 1602. To begin with, the convent was made by the mendicants as their residence and underwent alterations in 1559 AD. The Portuguese government closed the convent in 1835 AD. The church has been converted into a museum by the Archaeological Survey of India in 1964. The church displays artifacts, paintings and pieces of Hindu temple sculptures from Goa.
Chapel of St Catherine A narrow road runs to the west from the Church of St Francis of Assisi leads to the Chapel of St Catherine. It is a living example of the subjugation of Goa by Alfonso de Albuquerque. It is dedicated to St Catherine because Albuquerque captured Goa on the St Catherine's Day, i.e., 25th November 1510 AD. The chapel was enlarged by Governor Jorge in 1550 AD. The status of the chapel was elevated to that of a Cathedral vide a Papal Bill by Pope Paul III in 1534 AD. Till new cathedral, Se Cathedral, was built, this Chapel remained a cathedral. There was the Royal Hospital nearby established by Albuquerque in 1511 AD and was renovated in 1952. The altar is dedicated to St Catherine upon which stands the statue of Our Lady of the Piety.
Basilica of Bom Jesus The Basilica of Bom Jesus is the most august and famous of all the churches in Old Goa. It contains the relics of St. Francis Xavier, Patron saint of Goa, Apostle of the Indies. He was known as Goencho Saib by most of the people of Goa. The construction of the church began on the 24th November 1594 AD from the funds bequeathed for this purpose by Dom Jeronimos Mascarenhas. It was blessed by the Archbishop Dom Fr Aleixo de Menezes on the15th May1605 AD. It became the first church in India to be elevated to the status of a minor basilica in 1946.
Church of Lady of Rosary The Church of Lady of Rosary stands on the top of the western side of the Holy hill or Monte Santo overlooking the Mandovi river and Divar Island. This is supposedly the very place where Alfonso de Albuquerque led his troops to victory in 1510 AD and a plaque was placed with the inscription in the 1950's. Its status was raised to a church in 1543 AD and it was entrusted to the care of the Franciscans. The people held it in great reverence as St. Francis Xavier used to teach catechism here every evening to the public who flocked together at the sound of a little bell he rang.
Church of St. Augustine The convent was constructed by 12 Augustian friars in 1572 AD immediately after their arrival at Goa on 3rd September 1572. the church was constructed in1602 AD. Both the church and the convent are in ruins. The church was in good condition till 1835 AD when it was abandoned because of the ban on the religious orders by the Portuguese government. The vault of the church collapsed in 1842 AD and the façade on 8th and 19th August 1931. only the bell tower without the bell is left today. The bell was taken to the Fort Aguada Light House initially from 1841-71 AD. In 1871 AD, it was moved to the church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception at Panaji where it is functioning even today.
