Church and Monastery in Goa - India

Unesco's Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organization recognized the Church and Monastery in Goa of India as a World Cultural Heritage in 1986.

The church and the monastery in Goa are a group of sacred buildings in Goa in the state of Goa, India. Goa was formerly the old capital of India and was a Portuguese colony. The city of Goa is 10 km from the state of Panaji, and for many centuries the buildings here are still preserved intact and are a typical example of the Manueline and Baroque schools of art.

The city of Goa was founded in 1479 by the government of the Muslim king Bijapur, during which time it was a large stretcher city of India with a large number of Muslims. The city was built to replace Govapuri a few kilometers south and was used to make the port.The ancient citadel of Goa is considered the second capital of Bijapur during the reign of King Adil Shal . Goa has a period of being occupied by the Portuguese and colonized by the Portuguese. After the occupation of Goa, Albuquerque admiral Afonso de turned the city of Goa into a colonial capital. Under Portuguese rule, the city quickly grew and became one of India's top cities. Along with the rapid development, many buildings were built in the city. St. Catherine's Chapel is the first building built in the city to celebrate the victory of the Portuguese army.

Within a short period of time after the Portuguese arrived, the city of Goa became the center of missionary missions of the Church and the bishops of Asia who came here to evangelize. Goa becomes a bridge between two European and Asian cultures. That's why there are many churches and monasteries here.

Typical architectural works in Goa

In 1542, missionary Francis Xavier arrived in Goa and turned the place into a true church center. In the early seventeenth century, the city of Goa had a population of more than 200,000 including 150,000 Catholics.

With its rapid development, the city of Goa is called Golden Gate ; Oriental Pearl or Rome of the East. However, later in the 18th century, the city was abandoned and gradually fell into waste.

After the war of self-reliance of the Indian army in 1961, the influx of people from small Indian states flocked here to settle the shield into a multi-colored cultural and social center. sharp and multi-religious . In 1982, the Indian Government submitted to Unesco the recognition of the seven buildings in Goa as a world cultural heritage. These seven houses are the churches and monasteries in Goa city. But wait until 1986, these works are officially recognized.

Churches and monasteries in Goa are testament to the missionary era of Europeans in India. Besides, these architectural works are also typical relics of architectural influences from Baroque art, Manualine from European countries. With architectural design influencing Europe but using local materials to build has created a perfect combination for buildings, a typical combination of Europe and Asia. The buildings are built with the main materials of local laterite, plastered out is mortar lime and decorated with basalt.

The main colors in the buildings of the Church and the Monastery in Goa are white and red, white from limestone and red from basalt ., which created the homogeneity of the buildings in Goa.

In the glorious period, in Goa there were a total of 60 churches and monasteries, but after years of abandonment and devastating time so far only 7 remained. In it, Sé church can be mentioned with an architectural style built based on the Renaissance architecture. In the church, there are many valuable paintings and holy statues, Mary's Mother, and Jesus carved on wood. There is also Catherine Cathedral, St. Francis Monastery - now used as the Archaeological Museum; St Cajentan Church . are still preserved intact. The remaining monuments are not intact like that, any work has more or less damaged and ruined places. Some places have become important archaeological sites of India.

Despite the glorious period, Goa is by far the largest tourist attraction in India. Because this place not only has beautiful architecture but also has an attractive beach, in addition to the relics and heritage Unesco has acknowledged as making this coastal city more attractive. .