Destination of the Month |
| The Church Of Our Lady Of The Rosary |
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Location : Holy Hill, Old
Goa, Panjim, Goa
Built In : 1544-49
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Not 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 fa�ade 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. |
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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 |
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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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