Se Cathedral, Goa

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To the right of the main altar inside the Se Cathedral is a Chapel of the Cross of Miracles, where a vision of Christ is said to have appeared in 1619 when the cross was erected on a hillside near Old Goa by local shepherds. A church was planned on the spot where the vision had appeared and while this was being built the cross was stored nearby. When it came time to move the cross into the new church it was found that it had grown again and that the doors of the church had to be widened to accommodate it. The cross was moved to the cathedral in 1845.

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The Se Cathedral was built to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese under Afonso de Albuquerque over a Muslim army, leading to the capture of the city of Goa in 1510. Since the day of the victory happened to be on the feast of Saint Catherine, the cathedral was dedicated to her. It's the largest church in Asia at over 76m long and 55m wide. It stands on what was the main square of the city with the grassy area at the front being the large market square. To the left was the Senate House and to the right was the Palace of Inquisition.

It was commissioned by Governor George Cabral to be enlarged in 1552 on the remains of an earlier structure. The actual construction began in 1562 under the reign of King Dom Sebastião. The Cathedral was finally completed in 1619 and was consecrated in 1640.

It originally had two towers, but one collapsed in 1776 and was never rebuilt. The remaining tower houses a bell known as the "Golden Bell" and is said to be the largest in Goa, and one of the best in the world. The interior features a huge main altar that reaches the ceiling and is dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria. There are 8 chapels around the church which include the Chapel of the Cross of Miracles, where a vision of Christ is said to have appeared in 1619 (see next tip). The cathedral was used as the seat of the Archbishop of Goa.

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Se Cathedral of Santa Catarina or simple the Se cathedral is situated in Old Goa, the old Portuguese capital of the state, 10 kms from the current capital of Panaji. It is dedicated to Santa Catherine of Alexandria as the work to construct it began on the day of the feast of Santa Catherine. It is an UNESCO World heritage site, just opposite to the Basilica of Bom Jesus and is one of the biggest churches in Asia. It is 250 feet in length and 181 feet in breath and 115 feet in height.
It was built in early 1500s to mark the victory of the Portuguese army led by Afonso de Albuquerque over the Muslim army of thethen ruler of Goa, Yusuf Adil Shah, the event that lead to the seizure and colonialisation of Goa by the Potuguese. The architecturul style of Se Cathedral is Portuguese-Gothic.
This church houses a baptismal font used by the patron saint of Goa, Saint Francis Xavier to baptize the Goan converts.

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One of the most ancient and celebrated religious buildings of Goa, the magnificent 16th century monument to the Roman Catholic rule in Goa under the Portuguese is the largest church in Asia. The Cathedral is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria .

The Se Cathedral is located in Old Goa, across the road of The Bom Jesus Basilica.

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The location of Se Cathedral makes it perfect for a spot of sight-seeing, as it is located exactly across the street from the famous Bom Jesus Basilica. No doubt, your hotel will offer organised tours to visit the sights & sounds of Goa, but we preferred to find a good taxi driver & explore by ourselves!

We were told that this is one of the most ancient & celebrated religious buildings of Goa.
Construction on the church began in 1562 and was completed in 1619. This 16th century monument to the Roman Catholic rule is the largest church in India & reportedly even all of Asia. The Cathedral is named after St. Catherine of Alexandria. On her "feast day" in 1510 Alfonso Albuquerque defeated the Muslim army & took possession of the city of Goa. Hence it is also known as St. Catherine's Cathedral. The main altar is very impressive & beautifull... it's huge!

There are quite 8 chapels alongside the aisles with many (15?) beautifully different altars. A detailed screen holds "The Miraculous Cross", which stood in a Goan village until a vision of Christ appeared on it. Said to heal the sick it is now kept in a box; a small opening on the side allows devotees to touch it. Near the altar of St. Joseph is a slab covering the bones of Dom Gaspar de Leao Pereira, First Archbishop of Goa.

The building is Portuguese-Gothic in style with a Tuscan exterior & Corinthian interior. The church is 250 feet long & 181 feet wide. Underground dungeons near the Cathedral at the Palace of the Inquisition were in use until 1774. The Palace and its dungeons today are in ruins. There is also a small museum/art gallery within the church with old paintings (small entrance fee).

Se Cathedral is dedicated to St Catherine on whose day (25 Nov) Goa was captured by Alphonse De Albuquerque.
The church is traditional Tuscan on the outside and Corinthian inside where you will find and has a large gold altar and the remains of the highly decorated frescos.
You may get a guide in Old Goa to show you round the major sights for a few rupees.

The largest church in Asia, the cathedral was built between 1562 and 1619.

One of the bell towers is missing, after it collapsed in 1776. The other tower houses the largest bell in Asia.