The Church of St. Cajetan built by Italian monks, Goa

The Church of St. Cajetanwww.flickriver.com

In today's Goa, Christians form 25% of the population and it is strongly beloved that Christianity arrived in Goa long before the Portuguese. Christian settlements exited on the banks of Agashini in 1352, according to Iban Batuta, a Muslim traveler. How come one can see so many beautiful churches in a small state like Goa? The answer is simple. Upon the major discovery of the sea route to India by De Gama in 1498, encouraged by the then ruler of Portugal, more Portuguese arrived in India on the Malabar coast of Kerala. In was in 1510 the Portuguese arrived in Goa. Once they became a strong force, unlike the British, the Portuguese made the indigenous population undergo large scale conversion to Christianity and in later stages under threats. As the population began to swell, more churches were needed.

Tucked away in the picturesque quarters of Old Goa, the church is built on the modelof the Basilica of St. Peters in Rome. The Old Goa is situated on the banks of the Mandovi River in east Tiswadi Taluka in Central Goa. The Church of St. Cajetan, built by the monks of the Theatine Order (1656-1700) is an interesting one. Three Italian monks of the Theatine Order, whose founder was St. Cajetan, first landed in Golconda now in Telengana to preach Christianity. Then they came to Goa in October 1645 and after several struggles, in 1655, the Portuguese allowed them to build the church. The church work was completed in1661.

The Church of St. Cajetan, Goa. thousandwonders.net

It is located near Se cathedral, just at a walk-able distance and close to the Viceroy's Arch and the gate of Yusuf Adil Shah's Palace in Old Goa . The three storeyed Church is not a big one but the architecture is Corinthian and on the facade, columns support a pediment and four niches. The towers on either sides serve as belfry. The turrets, are a common feature of the Theatine order - a piece of Italian renaissance architecture. This church has naive with aisles on both sides with baroque interior and richly gilded altars and paintings.. Goan craftsmanship comes out alive in the case of pulpit built in Rococo style. The dome supported on the base formed by four piers, adds majesty to this simple structure and as there are many windows around the dome, so, the interior of the church is bright. Laterite stones are widely used and the plastering is done mostly in lime mortar. Floral designs on the ribbed vaults of the nave and the aisles enhance the beauty of the interior of the church. There are 7 altars, the main one is dedicated to the Lady of Divine Providence.

The Church of St. Cajetan. Goa thousandwonders.net

The Church of St. Cajetan. Goa. thousandwonders.net

That it was once the site of a Hindu temple is attested by presence of a covered well inside the alcove and beautiful motifs embellishing its colossal walls built by the Hindu rulers.,
August 7 each year is the feast day that attracts lots of people from Goa and neighboring states.
Ref:
http://www.thousandwonders.net/The+Church+of+St.+Cajetan