Se Cathedral Church Near Panaji

Goa is a land of beautiful churches. Nowhere in India will you find so many beautiful and sacred churches then in Goa. Here each church has its own unique beauty. Each bears a rich history and legacy and each has its own religious sanctity for local people. But, there is one church in Goa that seamlessly brings together all these special features. This church is Se Cathedral Church located in Old Goa, some 9 kms in the east of Panaji city, and very near to the famous Basilica of Bom Jesus Church.         
                 
    

What so Special About Se Cathedral?

Se Cathedral Church has so many special attributes to its name that it is regarded as a special jewel in the crown of Goa. One such special attribute is that this is the largest church in entire Asia. But its architectural beauty and size can’t take precedence over its religious sanctity and its amazingly rich history.

In terms of religious sanctity, Se Cathedral Church along with Basilica of Bom Jesus Church are unarguably the most important religious churches of Goa. In fact this church’s religious importance is even greater than Basilica of Bom Jesus Church, as it was the ‘Archdiocese of Goa and Daman’ – meaning the highest religious body of Roman Catholic community in Goa and Daman. In other words, for Roman Catholics of Goa and Daman no other church was as important as this one. 

History of Se Catherdral

As for its historical importance, then this church was once the ultimate symbol of Portuguese supremacy over Goa. As construction of this church was commemorated to mark Portuguese army’s triumphant victory over Muslim army in year 1510, which eventually gave Portuguese complete control over Goa. The actual construction of the church began in 1562 and took at least 80 years to complete, and it became the ultimate symbol of beginning of Portuguese era in Goa. And considering how special this church was for Portuguese empire, they pulled in immense wealth & money from their native country Portugal for making this church as grand as possible. Portuguese special love and bond for this church eventually helped in making this church one of the grandest and largest churches in entire Asia. Besides, of course they made this church as the main religious institution of their empire.

Architecture of Church

This church being one of Asia’s grandest churches surely has to have many architectural features. To begin with, this church is actually a huge complex where, besides the main cathedral church, there are 6 small churches and even a museum. These 6 small churches are located on either side of the main church. In fact, the entire church complex is so huge that it takes at least an hour to explore all churches including the museum. As for architectural design of the church is concerned, it bears huge influence to the classic European architecture – bringing together Tuscan style and Corinthian style architectures.

Adding further beauty to this church is the immense lush greenery that overlooks this church. In fact the entire church complex clad completely in white color syncs so well with lush greenery that it will kind of leave you mesmerized even before entering the church complex.

Before summing up, it’s again very pertinent to mention that this church is one of the most important and sacred churches for local catholic community of Goa. Just like it was during hey days of Portuguese Empire when the church was the official Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.