Se Cathedral, Largest church in Asia, Church in Goa

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Se Cathedral
	About Se Cathedral: Se Cathedral is one of the most visited church in Goa. One of the Popular tourist attractions in Goa, this church was originally constructed out of mud and stones and straw. Se Cathedral is also considered one of the largest church in Goa , India and in Asia. The initial construction that was erected in the year 1510 was dedicated to St. Catherine. After several modification finally the second church came in to existence in the year 1515. Soon after the church attained the status of the Cathedral with the establishment of the Diocese of Goa. The present Cathedral structure took about three fourth of the a century to be completed. The construction process started in the year 1562 and was completed in 1652.

It was the Portuguese viceroy, Dom Francisco Coutinho, the Count of Redondo (1561-1564) who had commissioned the construction of Se Cathedral Church building. The funds were obtained from the proceeds of the property sale of the Hindus and Muslims . The final construction of the building was supervised by architects Antonio Argueiros and Julio Simao, Chief engineer to the state of India. The body of Se Cathedral was completed in 1619 and stood on the main square of Old Goa.

Church Building:
The facade of the Church building faces the east. A flight of stairs leads to a beautiful courtyard. The building does not have a commanding presence when viewed from outside. The height of the front portion is about 115 2/3 feet and the breadth 100 4/3 feet.; its total length is 250 feet and breadth 181 1/3 feet. Though internally influenced by Mosaic-Corinthian style, the exterior is built with an unique blend of the half Tuscan and half Doric style. There are three large portals. There were two bell towers initially one of which collapsed in 1776. The remaining tower has 5 bells, including the golden bell named because of the controversy regarding the gold being mixed with an element thus creating wonderful sound.

The church interior is simply majestic and has a high vaulted ceiling. There are 4 chapels on each side about 142 3/5 feet long and 69 1/5 feet wide and is divided into nave and two isles. The entrance is guarded by two marble basins where holy water inserted in the columns. There is is a baptismal font completely black stone made with an inscription dating back to 1532. Apart from the main altar, four chapels rests in the either side. In the right the Chapels are dedicated to at first to the first to St Anthony, the second to St. Bernard, the third to the Cruz dos Milagres or the Miraculous Cross, and the fourth to the Holy Ghost. Since The Miraculous Cross have grown in size , it deserves special mention. Further interior there are 6 altars, three on either side. To the right dedicated to St Joseph, Nossa Senhora das Dores, and St. Peter. To the left dedicated to Nossa Senhora de Augusta, St. George, and Nossa Senhora d'Esperanza.

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