Architecture of Goan

Catholics
CHURCHES AND FORTS OF GOA DURING PORTUGUESE INVASION
HISTORY AND PERIOD
o Developed over the long colonial Portuguese India era (1500s−1961).
o Arrival of many Roman Catholic missionaries, particularly the Portuguese Jesuits,
lead to building many churches in Goa.
o The Goan Catholic style of constructing churches thus came to be influenced by the
Portuguese style.
o Many of the 16th and 17th colonial Catholic churches were built in the Portuguese
Baroque style
o Notable are the Se Cathedral and Basilica of Bom Jesus.
 CHURCH OF BOM JESUS SE CATHEDRAL
Built: 1594-1605 Founded : 1619
Style: Baroque Style: Portuguese-Gothic

1600 1610 1620

St. AUGUSTINES TOWER OUR LADY OF IMMACULATE

Built: 1602 CONCEPTION CHURCH
Style: Portuguese Founded: 1541
Rebuilt: 1609
Style: Portuguese-Baroque
DEVELOPMENT OF GOAN
CHURCH ARCHITECTURE
o Various Christian denominations built monumental churches, basilicas, cathedrals,
chapels, convents and nunneries in Old Goa, in the styles developing in 16th-18th
century Europe—mannerist, baroque and rococo.
oThe churches also reflect the Manueline style which was prevalent in early 16th-
century Portugal, named after King Manuel I
oThe Manueline style exhibits elements of design and craftsmanship adapted from
medieval Portuguese and Islamic architecture, along with motifs from ships and the
sea-faring world.
oThe churches of Goa are also significant for their collections of Christian art, sacred
relics and religious iconography.
FEATURES OF GOAN CHURCH
ARCHITECTURE
o Constructed of laterite stones and lime plastered which displays the affluent
Architectural fusion of Renaissance and Baroque styles.
o Highly ornamental Alter, mostly golden in colour and massive in scale and has the
pulpit away from the alter.
o Structure is composed of cross shaped plan with a central nave and side aisles,
sloping roof.
o No clerestory provided over nave but on side walls of aisles itself.
o Has three external openings accessing the nave and aisles on the front façade
o Mostly symmetrical on elevation with towers on either sides holding the curfew bell.