Tourism
of Goa
Museums
of Goa
Christian
Art MuseumThe
Christian Art Museum, the first and only one of its kind in Asia, was
earlier located at the famous Rachol Seminary at Rachol near the town on
Margao. However its relatively remote location had prevented it from being a
popular destination for the tourists.
The museum which has
enriched cultural heritage and history of Goa was originally set up in 1994
with technical and financial assistance from Calouste Gulbentian foundation
of Portugal and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage
(INTACH) New Delhi.
This fabulous museum is now relocated within
the precincts of the convent of Santa Monica, Old Goa, in the vicinity of
the Old Goa world heritage monuments.
The museum houses some of
the best specimens of Goa´s distinctive and exquisitely crafted church
art. In the early days of Portuguese colonization, most statues to be
installed in churches were brought by ship from Portugal.
These
were supplemented by images, furnishings and decorations crafted by local
Hindu artisans who were roped in to keep up with the demand as church
building activity of the Portuguese accelerated.
The ground floor
of the museum has an area of 350 sq. mts. It also has an upper floor gallery
with an area of 150 sq. mts. The museum has in its collection beautiful
artifacts like the Pelican monstrance based on the legend that in times of
famine, the mother pelican plucks open her breast and feeds her young on her
own blood. The artistic iconography explicitly suggests that the holy
sacrament is the food for man's salvation.
The collection also
includes rosaries and other items made of gold and precious stone. St.
Francis Xavier a popular theme is shown in silver plaques and on the panels
of a silver casket. Image crowns and other rituals objects were also made in
silver.
The museum also possesses some beautiful ivory images. The
Good Shepherd depicts Jesus as an allegorical shepherd watching his flock.
He sits in a pensive posture on an elaborately carved rocky mountain.
Beneath
him are frolicking lambs, a fountain and St Mary Magdalene lies in the front
grotto, in what is described as a pose of Indian influence, studying the
scriptures.
The museum is open everyday from 9.30 am to 5 pm. The
entry fee is Rs. 10 and Rs. 5 for students, while the entrance is free for
children below 12 years.
About
Goa