The Sé Catedral de Santa Catarina, known as Se Cathedral, is the
cathedral of the Latin Church Archdiocese of Goa and Daman and the seat of the
Patriarch of the East Indies.
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 was commissioned by Governor George Cabral to be enlarged in 1552 on the
remains of an earlier structure. Construction of the church began in 1562 in
the reign of King Dom Sebastião. The cathedral was completed in 1619 and was
consecrated in 1640.
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Entrance to the Se Cathedral
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Panorama of the several-hour queue to enter Se Cathedral
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Panorama of Church of St. Francis of Assisi (left) and Se Cathedral
(right) seen from the southeast
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Church of St. Francis of Assisi
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Founded in 1517 by Portuguese Franciscan friars, the church has a rich
history and is part of the Churches and Convents of Goa UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
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The church showcases a blend of Tuscan and Portuguese-Manueline
styles. The facade is three-tiered and flanked by octagonal towers,
creating a unique visual appeal.
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The interior is richly decorated in the Baroque style, with Corinthian
influences. The main altar features a large statue of St. Francis of
Assisi and Jesus on the cross, along with paintings depicting scenes
from the saint's life.
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The walls are adorned with intricate floral frescoes and 17th-century
paintings, adding to the church's ornate charm.
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The church houses statues of St. Peter and St. Paul below the main
altar, and a statue of St. Michael in the central niche of the facade.
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The tabernacle is supported by sculptures of the Four Evangelists,
enhancing the church's architectural and religious significance.
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Se Cathedral seen from the east
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Se Cathedral seen from the northeast
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The Se Cathedral showcases a blend of Portuguese-Manueline, Gothic,
and Renaissance styles. The exterior is Tuscan, while the interior is
Corinthian.
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The cathedral is 76 m (250 ft) long, 55m (181 ft) wide, and the
frontispiece stands 35 m (115 ft) high.
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The facade is adorned with intricate carvings and statues, reflecting
the craftsmanship of the period.
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The cathedral originally had two towers, but one collapsed in 1776 and
was never rebuilt. The remaining tower houses the "Golden Bell," one
of the largest and most melodious bells in Asia.
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The main altar is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria, and there
are several old paintings on either side of it.
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This chapel is where a vision of Christ is said to have appeared in
1619.
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The cathedral was built to commemorate the Portuguese victory over the
Muslim rulers of Goa in 1510, and its construction began in 1562,
completing in 1619.
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See Also
Source
Location
