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 Chruch: One of the most ancient and celebrated religious
buildings of Goa, this magnificent 16th century monument.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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