Se Cathedral

Se Cathedral

One of the oldest and most applauded religious halls within Goa, the Se Cathedral is one of the biggest churches in Asia and it took eighty years to get completed. It is committed to Catherine of Alexandria and is located within Old Goa. Built in 1562 in Manueline with Corinthian method of architecture, the Se Cathedral today stands bigger than any place of adoration in Goa and even Portugal, if can be said so. The original church erected was that of mud, stones and straw. Subsequent adjustments were made and a second church arrived up in 1515.AD Later the status of church was elevated to a cathedral and a new building came up in its place.Designed via engineers Julio Simao and Ambrosio Argueiro, It was commissioned via Governor George Cabral in 1552AD. The actual construction started in 1562 throughout the reign of King Dom Sebastião and eventually accomplished in1619 AD. It is huge and intricately carved from top to bottom.

This monument actually portrays the royalty of Goa in its hey days, during the rule of Portuguese. One of the most revered spiritual halls for the Christians, Se cathedral has been declared a heritage spot via UNESCO. The history traces back towards the moment of Dominicans, whom were the former missionaries to be posted towards India by the Portuguese. This cathedral was constructed towards commemorate the victory of the Portuguese against a Muslim army, leading towards the capture of the city of Goa in 1510AD.The Dominicans were originally the chaplains of the fleet carried via the conquering Portuguese naval general Alfonso de Albuquerque. To reach the Se Cathedral, drive snugly on NH 4A, which starts as the Ribander Causeway, drive east along the Mandovi River, through the rustic and extends south-east to Ponda. This sacred location of adoration is established just opposite of the Basilica de Born Jesus in Old Goa. This little patch of virgin land is located on the banks of the serene Mandovi River in east Tiswadi Taluka in Central Goa.