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| Goa
is the center of a lot of World Heritage Monuments.
A very prominent site is Old Goa. Old Goa boasts of
more than 13 churches situated in the vicinity. Some
of the churches here go back to nearly the 15th Century. |
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The
largest of the churches at Old Goa. This Cathedral has
five bells. The existing tower houses a famous bell,
one of the largest in Goa and often referred to as 'Golden
Bell' on account of its rich sound. The main altar is
dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria, and old paintings
on either side of it depict scenes from her life and
martyrdom.
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BASILICA OF BOM JESUS AT OLD GOA
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The
Basilica of Bom Jesus is famous throughout the Roman
Catholic world since it contains the tomb and mortal
remains of St. Francis Xavier. It is one of the more
prominent Churches in Old Goa. A former pupil of St.
Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit Order, St.
Francis Xavier made missionary voyages in the east that
became a legend.
Apart from the richly gilded altars, the interior of
the church is remarkable for its simplicity, and this
is the only church, which is not plastered on the outside.
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MAE DE DEUS CHURCH, SALIGAO
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Church Of Mae De Deus, Saligao in Bardez is vaulted
in shape which makes it very attractive. The Church
boasts of a primitive style of Gothic architecture.
To add to the serenity in its totality there are 2
lofty bells seen inside the Church tower.
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The site of Pilar is superb, reached by a narrow
winding road that threads its way up the hill from
the plains below. On arrival at the top, the fading
yellow buildings of the seminary are something of
a disappointment, although, once inside, the newer
wing has a modern chapel with an impressive circular
Italian marble platform and altar and stained glass
windows created in Germany from stained glass windows
created in Germany from the paintings of a Goan artist,
the center piece of which depicts our lady of pilar.
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THE THREE KINGS CHURCH AT REISMAGOS
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The
Reis Magos Church or Church of the Three Magi Kings,
built in 1555, was once a mission center of the Franciscan
Order of Monks. It boasts of elegant architecture
and majestically adorns the River Mandovi.
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Situated to the south
of the Viceroy's Archway in Goa, the church of St. Cajetan
was erected in 1661 by Italian friars of the Theatine
Order, in the style of the famous Basilica of St. Peter
in Rome. Originally called The Church of Our Lady of
Divine Providence it was built of laterite blocks and
named after the founder of the Theatine Order, St. Cajetan.
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ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI - OLD GOA
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Church of St. Francis
of Assisi, Old Goa: Adjacent to the Cathedral is this
church. Built in the 17th Century, a beautiful octagonal
tabernacle ornately decorated has two statues, one of
St Francis of Assisi and the other of Jesus on the cross.
Vows of poverty, humility and obedience of St. Francis
of Assisi are scripted right below these two statues.
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MUSEUM OF CHRISTIAN ART - OLD GOA
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The Museum of Christian
art is a unique repository of the exquisite church art
that blossomed during the Portuguese era. The only one
of its kind in Asia, the Christian Art Museum was set
up in 1994 in a joint collaboration between Calouste
Gulbentian foundation of Portugal and the Indian National
Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), New Delhi.
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ST. JEROME'S CHURCH - MAPUSA
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As we follow the path
to Mapusa market, from there about 2 km distance is
situated the important church in Mapusa dedicated to
St. Jerome. The statue of St. Jerome was brought from
Choras Seminary but has now been replace by the Statue
of Our Lady of Miracles on the main altar. Nossa Senhora
Mae de Deus is prominent due to her festival in the
18th century.
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