Tourism
of Goa
Places
of Worship in Goa ::
Churches
in Goa
Church
of Our Lady of RosaryNot
far to the west of the Basilica of the Bom Jesus is the Holy Hill at the
extremity of which is the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary. Built of
laterite and plastered with lime mortar, it has a two-storeyed portico. The
portico as well as the façade of the church has rounded towers on
either side with the cross on top. The roof of the church is tiled,
supported by wooden rafters.
The Chapels And Altars
There
are two chapels and three altars. The main altar is dedicated to our Lady of
the Rosary. The church, with windows near the roof and with rounded towers
giving an impression of a fortress church, is Manuline in style though
Gothic influence can be seen in the rib-vault at the portico.
Cenotaph
Of Dona Catarina
To the right of the main altar is a marble cenotaph
commemorating Dona Catarina whose marriage with Viceroy Garcia De Sa was
performed by St. Francis Xavier.
The cenotaph slightly projecting
from the wall is artistically decorated with carved miniature pillars and
inscriptions in Portuguese and has a triangular pediment crowned by a shell
moulding. The foliage and other decorations emanating from a vase closely
resemble those on the tombs of Gujarat, thus suggesting influence of a
regional art-style.
This votive chapel was built in fulfilment of
a vow taken by Afonso de Albuquerque while reviewing the battle between his
forces and those of the Bijapur sultan from the same spot, on which the
church stands. The vow, however, could be fulfilled only after his death,
since this church was built in 1544-49.
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