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Goa

Church of our Lady of Rosary

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map

January

17.4 - 35.2 °C

February

17.9 - 36.2 °C

March

20.2 - 35.5 °C

April

22.6 - 35.3 °C

May

23.0 - 35.4 °C

June

22.2 - 34.4 °C

July

22.4 - 31.5 °C

August

22.7 - 31.2 °C

September

22.7 - 32.2 °C

October

21.7 - 35.0 °C

November

19.6 - 35.4 °C

December

18.3 - 34.9 °C


Major Airports :

Dabolim Airport (GOI), Goa

Manohar International Airport (GOX), North Goa

Nearest Railway Station :

Madgaon Junction Railway Station (MAO)

Major Airports :

Dabolim Airport (GOI), Goa

Manohar International Airport (GOX), North Goa

The victory of a war, the promise of a monument

Goa is a place where monuments are brimming with stories of wars, generals, and saints. One such modest yet enriching edifice to visit is the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, which stands at the top of Monte Santo, overseeing the Mandovi River and the Divar Island. Legends say that it was built as a sign of fulfilment of a promise made by Afonso de Albuquerque.

The Church stands as a beacon of architectural splendour, a timeless masterpiece crafted by skilled artisans. Its graceful facade, adorned with intricate carvings and elegant arches, captivates the eye and soul alike. Dating back to the 16th century, this historic church bears witness to Goa's rich colonial heritage, its whitewashed walls whispering tales of bygone eras. Stepping through its grand entrance, you will be enveloped in a sense of awe and reverence, as the church's majestic beauty unfolds, a testament to faith and craftsmanship intertwined. One of the distinctive traits of the Church of the Rosary is its unique octagonal shape. It is not a common sight and is touted as a rare architectural design when compared to the other churches in Goa. The unique design reiterates the eight beatitudes preached by Jesus in the Sermon on Mount Sinai.

It also acts as a congregation place for the local community. It is where people lean on each other for solace, guidance, and inspiration. Today, it continues to stand as a living testament to Goa's enduring Catholic heritage.

The prologue to history

The Portuguese were forever threatened by foreign invasion. Wars and battles were commonplace in Goa at that time. During one such war, Afonso de Albuquerque promised to build a church when he saw his men walking to victory. But the interesting fact is that he did not begin by building a church. It was primarily a hermitage which was later transformed into the monument that stands today. In 1931, the Archaeological Committee of Goa placed a marble slab on the walls of the church with the inscription: “From this height, Afonso de Albuquerque watched the re-conquest of Goa on 25/11/1510.”


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Timings

Opening time - 09:00 AM

Closing time - 05:30 PM

Walls of whispering fables

The Church of Our Lady of Rosary is modest. The architecture is inspired by the Manueline style blended in with Gothic influences. Like most churches of Goa, this too is made from laterite and plastered with lime mortar.

The outside flaunts a Manueline architecture technique called rope twist device. Simply put, the designs look like twisted ropes. The ornate embellishments seem artistic as they embrace the stout columns, frame the stained windows, or highlight other features of the church.

You will find that the structure is divided into 3 levels which makes it look imposing. The buttresses on the front facade and the high windows accentuate the regalness of this monument. On either side of the building, there are two towers. One has a winding staircase that goes to the ‘higher choir’ or the upper floor while the lower area is used as a baptismal chapel. The upper floor is supported by elegant columns which are adorned with bells.

The Church of Our Lady of Rosary has two chapels and three altars. If you desire to pay your visit and sit peacefully in the presence of the divine, you can go to the main altar which is for Our Lady of the Rosary. You will be fascinated to find that the Hindu religion inspires a lot of the carvings and the influences. It has designs of mangoes, cashews, and flowers. The baptismal font in this church has been carved out of a single granite slab.

The design of this church is not path-breaking or unique. It follows the traditional rules of architecture, and that is what gives it an obvious, yet brilliant aura. It follows the same shape which ends with a square area. The main room is called a nave and it also has two chapels. In 1897 the roof of the nave collapsed, then replaced with tiles. The place where the priests stand is decorated with beautiful, awe-inspiring inscriptions. The ceilings too have traditional carvings that will make you gaze at it with wonder.

Till death did them apart

As you weave your way to the right, you will find a statue that was built to remember Dona Catarina. She was the wife of Viceroy Garcia De Sa, a Portuguese nobleman and a soldier who ruled India as a governor from June 1548 to 13 of June 1549.

The union of Dona and the Viceroy was officiated by St. Francis Xavier. If stories are to be believed, it is said that the saint married the two while Catarina lay dying. Later her husband had “Here lies Dona Caterina, wife of Garcia de Sa, who requests the readers of these lines to beg God’s mercy on her soul” inscribed on her cenotaph.

Where God & Nature sit together 

In Goa, the beauty of the church is attributed to the architecture. But few realize that the setting of the monuments also tugs a chord in the tourist’s heart. Similarly, the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary which is one of the oldest churches of Goa sits on Monte Santo and faces the Mandovi River and the Divar Island. The view is so breathtaking that people are known to spend more time just gazing into the horizon than within the confines of the church.

Beyond the Church

If you do visit this church, try not to miss the Basilica of Bom Jesus. It is one of the most popular churches of Goa and it invites tourists and devotees from all around the world to see the tomb of St. Francis Xavier. You can even ride or drive to the Dona Paula viewpoint, Sinquerim Beach, or Baga Beach if you want to feel the wind on your face and the sand on your feet. Needless to say, you have to dig into the mouth-watering delicacies to experience the true spirit of Goa.

As you bid farewell, your heart will carry with it the echoes of hymns and the warmth of community, knowing that in this sacred space, amidst the tranquil embrace of faith, you have found solace and sanctuary.