Se Cathedral in Old Goa

Posted Date: 25 Nov 2010 Author: Latha Jayaprakash Member Level: Gold (Rs. 40)

Se Cathedral is located in Old Goa of the state of Goa and stands larger than most of the churches in India. This church is the one of the oldest and the most religious buildings in the whole of Goa.

About Se Cathedral in the city Old Goa in India

Se Cathedral is a cathedral located in old Goa which is dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria. Se cathedral is one of the oldest religious buildings in Goa and one of the largest churches in Asia. This is a Latin Rite Catholic Archdiocese of Goaand Daman cathedral and the seat of the patriarch of East Indies.

History of the Se Cathedral in Old Goa

Se Cathedral was built by the Portuguese to commemmorate the victory over a Muslim army which led to the capture the city of Goa in 1510. The day they tasted the victory happened to be the feast of St. Catherine the cathedral was dedicated to her. Governor George Cabral coomissioned for the church in 1552 to be developed on the remains of the earlier structure but the actual construction began only in 1652 under the reign of King Dom Sebastiao. Se Cathedral was finally finished in 1619 and was consecrated in 1640.

About the construction and the Architecture of the Se Catherdral

The Cathedral was built in Portuguese Manueline style of Architecture where the exterior is tuscan and the interiors corinthian. The dimensions of the church are 250 feet long, 181 feet wide and 115 feet tall. The Cathedral houses a large bell known all over as the Golden Bell for its rich tone. The bell is also said to be one of the best not only in Goa but the whole world. There are many old paintings on either side of the altar dedicated to Catherine Alexandria. there is a chapel of the Cross of Miracles on the right of the altar and is said that a vision of Jesus to have appeared in 1919. There are six main panels on which you can find carvings of the life of St Catherine.

Specialities of the Se Cathedral in Old Goa

The Cathedral houses a large bell known all over as the Golden Bell for its rich tone and is also said to be the largest in the state of Goa.
The church also houses a baptismal font which was made in 1532 and was used by St Francis Xavier the patron saint of Goa. He had baptised many Goans and converted them to Christians.