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The state Goa is full of beautiful churches. These churches are quite marvelous and The Chapel of St. Catherine has an eminent place in them. This is one of the famous tourist attractions in Goa, which should not be missed.
Among the various churches that dot the palm-fringed beautiful land of Goa, the slightly diminutive Chapel of St. Catherine stands distinctly graceful. This church has distinctive Renaissance features. This church is situated to the south of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi.
The Chapel of St. Catherine, which is pale yellowish, is built in laterite. The original façade was built by Alfonso de Albuquerque, in the year of 1510. This former structure was a mere mud structure and was erected to commemorate the arrival of Alfonso de Albuquerque in the town. After some years, this structure was replaced by a stone chapel. A new altar was also placed by the then Governor, George Cabral in the year 1550. You can still read the engravings on the slab which says that this was the doorway through which the Governor Alfonso de Albuquerque entered and took the city from the Mohammadans in 1510, on the day of St. Catherine.
This church is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. This chapel brilliantly portrays the Renaissance style. The square towers flank the three storied façade which lodges a statue of St Catherine. Every article in this church has a kind of medieval aura about it. The sacred hall is all simplicity and has a simple plan. It has a cruciform shape with a square apse. This chapel was restored in 1951 by the veteran Portuguese architect Balthazar de Castro, because of its immense popularity. During its revival, special attention was given to the vault and the sacristy. The four crosses placed over the church roof, and one Gothic cross which is placed over the altar induces piety.
This church is next to the Church of St. Francis of Assisi and the Se Cathedral of Old Goa. This is in a secluded region, on the banks of Mandovi river in east Tiswadi. You can take the NH 4A to get there. This church is open to all form 6 in the morning till 6 in the evening.
If you want to have a feel of that Renaissance style of church architecture, then don't miss a visit to The Chapel of St. Catherine. A visit to this calm and serene place will make you feel sated. This is one place which will make your Goa visit a memorable one.
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