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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