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| Chapora fort made of red laterite had underground escape tunnels for the Portuguese |
With a long legacy of Portuguese colonisation, Goa has a lot to credit itself when it comes to places of worship or UNESCO World Heritage architecture. The churches and convents of Old Goa, particularly the Bom Jesus Basilica houses the mortal remains of St Francis Xavier, regarded by many Catholics as the patron saint of god. The relics are taken down for veneration and public viewing, as per the prerogative of the Church in Goa, not every ten or twelve years as popularly thought and propagated. The last exposition was held in 2004 and the next exposition will be held in November 2014. The state also the Sanctuary of Blessed Joseph Vaz in Sancoale, Pilar monastery which holds novenas of Venerable Padre Agnelo Gustavo de Souza from November 10 to 20 November yearly. There is also the statue of the bleeding Jesus on the Crucifix at the Santa Monica Convent in Velha Goa. There are a number of churches (Igorzo), like the Baroque styled Nixkollounk Gorb-Sombhov Saibinnich Igorz (Church of the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception) in Panjim, the Gothic styled Mater Dei (Dêv Matechi Igorz/ Mother of God) church in Saligao and each church having its own style and heritage, besides Kopelam/ Irmidi (Chapels). The Velhas Conquistas regions are also known for its Goa-Portuguese style architecture. There are many forts in Goa such as Tiracol, Chapora, Corjuem, Aguada, Reis Magos, Nanus, Mormugao, Fort Gaspar Dias and Cabo de Rama.
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| The architecture style of the Se Cathedral is Portuguese-Manueline |
The Se Catedral de Santa Catarina, also known as Se Cathedral, is of the Latin Rite Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Goa and Daman and the seat of the Patriarch of the East Indies. Known as the largest church in India, and located in Old Goa, this church is dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria. It is one of the oldest and most celebrated religious buildings in Goa. The Se Cathedral was built to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese under Afonso de Albuquerque over a Muslim army, leading to capture of the city of Goa in 1510. The architecture style of the Se Cathedral is Portuguese-Manueline. It was commissioned by Governor George Cabral to be enlarged in 1552 on the remains of an earlier structure. The actual construction began in 1562 under the reign of King Dom Sebastião. The cathedral was finally completed in 1619 and was consecrated in 1640. Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church in Panjim is one of the oldest churches in Goa, which existed from the year 1540. Originally consecrated in 1541, it was built in Portuguese Baroque style for the benefit of sailors from Lisbon.
Fort Aguada and its lighthouse is a well-preserved 17th century Portuguese fort in Goa on Sinquerim Beach, which was constructed in 1613 to guard against the Dutch and Marathas. It was a reference point for vessels coming from Europe during that period. This fort stands on the beach south of Candolim at the shore of Mandovi river. Another famous structure, the Chapora Fort, located in Bardez, Goa, rises above Chapora river. Before the Portuguese arrived in Goa in 1510, this location was the site of another fort. This fort has changed hands several times after Portuguese acquired Bardez.
In many parts of Goa, mansions constructed in the Indo-Portuguese style architecture still stand, though in some villages these are in dilapidated condition. Fontainhas in Panaji has been declared a cultural quarter, showcasing the life, architecture and culture of Goa. Siolim House Heritage Boutique, a small luxury heritage hotel, is a restored Indo Portuguese colonial manor house dating from the 17th century that once belonged to a governor of Macao.
