The Churches in Goa are one of Goa's most important institutions. Legacies of Portuguese colonization, some of Goa’s most famous and magnificent buildings and structures are these churches. Christianity was imposed upon the Goans by the Portuguese during the period of the ‘Inquisition’. Temples were demolished randomly and this continued until 1812. Most of the Churches yhat now exist in Goa were built over the ruins of the demolished temples. Lands were confiscated from the temples and were handed over to the churches and the ‘communidades’.
The churches in Goa reflect European architectural styles in a big way as most of the churches in Goa were built during the Portuguese rule. The importance of these Churches are not just religious or historical, but also architectural. The Churches in Goa are also of social importance, as the contribution of the Church to education in Goa is immense. Today all the churches are part of the Archdiocese of Goa. Many have also been declared as protected sites.
Some of the most famous Churches in Goa are listed below:
- Church of St. Francis Of Assisi, Old Goa: The Church of St.Francis of Assisi is located in Old Goa. It is a 17th century structure of religious art. It lies to the west of the Se Cathedral.
- Chapel of St. Catherine, Old Goa or the Se Cathedral Church: This 16th century monument is one of the most ancient and celebrated religious buildings of Goa. It was the first church to be built by the Portuguese and it is the memorial of the conquest of Goa by Alburquerque. The Chapel of St.Catherine is located in Old Goa and is dedicated to St. Catherine.
- Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa: Basilica of Bom Jesus is located in Old Goa. Bom Jesus means Infant Jesus or Good Jesus. Inside the Basilica, you will see a beautiful display of architectural pieces in wood, stone, gold and granite. This is the only church in Old Goa, which is not plastered on the outside because the lime plaster was stripped off in 1950.
- Ruins of Church of St. Augustine: This landmark is now reduced to a 46m-high tower that once served as a belfry and also formed a part of the facade of a magnificent Church.
- The Church of St Anne at Talaulim Ilhas: This Church is most notable for its excellent architecture.
- 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. This church is dedicated to the Three Wise Men or the Three Magi who were the first to give offerings to the Child Jesus. ‘Reis Magos’ directly translates as ‘Magi King’.
- St. Cajetan Church, Old Goa: The St Cajetan Church is located in Old Goa. It is famous for the high vault on which are inscribed the words of Christ ‘My House Is a House of the Words of Christ". St Cajetan, lies about half a km away to the north east of the Se Cathedral and close to the ruins of the Viceregal Palace.
- Chapel and Tomb of St. Francis Xavier: The Chapel and Tomb of St. Francis Xavier is a plain chapel with only one altar and is built of laterite blocks and is plastered with lime.
- Church of St Paul: The Church of St Paul 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.
- Church of Mary Immaculate Conception: The church was one of the first to be built in Goa, certainly being there by 1541.
- Holy Spirit Church: It is one of the most religiously important and architecturally brilliant churches built in Goa.
- Lady Rosary Church: It is one of the oldest churches of Goa situated on top of Holy Hill - Monte Santo.
Masses and prayer services are held in these Churches in Goa and they are open to the general public. Certain ‘Mass Hours’ have been set. These are:
Weekdays: 07:00 to 08:00 hrs.
Sundays: 08:00 to 09:15 hrs.
Goa Churches Map
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