Churches and Convents of Goa

Goa, an international tourist’s destination in India is not all about beaches and a laid back life, but also about the history of the Catholic religion in the country. The Old city is still a part replete with Churches and Convents that take you back to the times when Goa became the capital of the Portuguese Indies from 1565 till 1760s when the city was abandoned due to an outbreak of Cholera.

Today, these Churches and Convents have been collectively listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include seven structures in total- St. Catherine’s Chapel, Church and Convent of Francis of Assisi, Sé Cathedral, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Church of Saint Cajetan including the seminary, the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and the St. Augustine Tower.

These Churches and Convents are believed to have been built to influence the local populace to convert into Christians. The facades of these structures were made tall, with lofty interiors with large colored windows and majestic columns. The interiors were decorated profusely wit carved altars, and walls hung with colorful paintings and frescos.

Among these seven monuments, the Church of Bom Jesus is of high significance as it holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. Others like the Chapel of St Catherine and The Church and Convent of Assisi are best in terms of architectural designs and styles. These two now house Archaeological Museums.

One of the most notable things about these historic Churches and Convents is the paintings they hold. It was primarily during the 16^th and 18^th century when Manueline, Mannerist and Maroque form of paintings and art started to flourish under the influence of the missionaries that came to Goa.

And while all visiting tourists can enjoy the hustle bustle of the new town, don’t forget to take a sojourn of the Old town. Its history is one of its kinds in India, which is mostly British or Mughal.