Built with pride
In the year 1510, Alfonso Albuquerque defeated the Muslim rulers of Goa and became the territory’s undisputed king. The church was built as a dedication to St. Catherine because the victory of the Portuguese came on the feast day of St. Catherine of Alexandria. The construction was initiated in the year 1562. It was finished in 1619, consecrated in 1640, but the main altars came alive only in the year 1652.
Its tall imposing front facade is a masterpiece in mortar. When you see the church from a distance, you will notice that one of the two towers is deconstructed. That is because in the year 1776, the second tower collapsed, and it wasn’t ever rebuilt. The slight flaw gives the building an unusual and distinctive look.
As you walk through the gates of the church, you will be greeted by Corinthian columns on plinths. The touch of calm will quieten the voices in your head, and you will feel yourself being drawn into peace that is seldom found in the bustling streets of big cities.
When you enter the Cathedral, the vast space will stun you. You can begin your discovery by turning to the right. If you find a closed chamber, know that it hides a baptismal font that was used by St. Francis Xavier. The church is dotted with pillars that have breathtaking carvings. The main pillar has little statues of St. Francis Xavier and St. Ignatius Loyola. You might want to spend a few moments gazing at and appreciating the heavily decorated, gilded walls, and the ceilings of the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament.
