Location :
Old Goa, 9 Km from Panjim
Built In : 1562 AD
Architectural Style :Manuline with Corinthian
When To Go : September - November
Positioning of The Church
The Se Cathedral stands towards the west of the great square called
Terreiro de Sabaio and has its portico facing towards the east. It is
opposite to the Basilica De Bom Jesus. It is located on the banks of Mandovi
River in east Tiswadi Taluka in Central Goa.
Stature
The Church is approximately 250 ft in length and 181 ft in breath. The
front piece stands at a height of 115 ft. It took seven years to constitute
this massive structure.
History
The original building was constructed of mud, stones and straw and was
erected in 1510 and was dedicated to St. Catherine for it was on St.
Catherine's day - Nov 25th that Alfonso de Albuquerque seized Goa. It went
through changes and later on a second church was constructed in 1515. It is
believed to have been built on either a Hindu temple or a Muslim mosque. In
its final stages of construction, it was supervised by the famous architects
Antonio Argueiros and Julio Simao.
The External Beauty of Cathedral
This grandiose structure has a total length of 250 feet and a breadth of
181 feet. It is a clever blend of Tuscan and Doric fashion. The most
fascinating feature are the two bell towers built in this cathedral. One of
which has collapsed and the other one possesses five bells including the
'Golden bell'. It is popular for its gold embellishments; it produces
wonderful sound while ringing. This 17th century bell has a rather rusty
past. It tolled during the infamous interrogation of announcing the start of
the gruesome auto da fe or Acts of Faith, when suspected disbelievers were
pulled out of the palace
The
Internal Beauty of Cathedral
The interior of the cathedral is done in a regal style and has the proud
possession of high-vaulted ceiling. Built in Mosaic-Corinthian style, this
church has fifteen altars and eight chapels. Among several others, the
altars dedicated to Our Lady of Hope, Our Lady of Anguish, and Our Lady of
Three Needs and the grand altar dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria
must be seen because of its detailed carvings. The life of St Catherine of
Alexandria is also depicted on the panels.
The Most Opulent Church in Goa
The Se Cathedral Church dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria boasts of
being the largest in Asia. The existing tower of the church houses a famous
bell, 'Golden Bell' which is one of the largest in Goa. One of the most
sacred buildings for the Christians, Se Cathedral has been stated as a
heritage site by UNESCO.
How to Reach
Drive comfortably on NH 4A, which begins at the Ribander Causeway, runs
east along the Mandovi River, through the pastoral area and then continues
till southeast to Ponda
