Se Cathedral is one the oldest and most celebrated churches in India. It is situated west of the great square, Terreiro de Sabaio, in Old Goa. This church is one of the largest churches in India.

Se Cathedral Goa.

Se Cathedral, alias St. Catherine’s Cathedral at Goa, is named after Saint Catherine of Alexandria. It was on her feast day anniversary in 1510 that Alfonso Albuquerque took possession of the city of Goa from the enemy. To commemorate this emphatic victory, the Portuguese constructed this church at Goa.

In 1919, it is said that a vision of Jesus Christ appeared at the “Cross of Miracles”, one of the eight chapels at Sé Cathedral Goa, There are four chapels each on both sides of the Se Cathedral.

The construction work for this Goa Church began in 1562, and the main church (except the main altar, which is dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria) was completed by 1619. St. Catherine’s Cathedral Church at Goa was consecrated in 1940, even though the main altar dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria was completed only in 1652.

The Portuguese-Gothic style architecture of the church, with its Tuscan exterior and Corinthian interior, is 250 feet long (76 meters) and 181 feet (55 m) in breadth. There were two Bell towers to the church; one of the southern sides collapsed in 1776. Golden Bell, the church bell at the Se Cathedral in Goa, is considered one of the best bells in the world for its rich tone. You can hear the soothing church bell thrice a day.

There are many old paintings on either side of the main altar walls, which are dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria. There is a beautiful courtyard for the Se Church compound.

Nearby Churches to Se Cathedral Goa

There is an Archaeological Museum housed in the adjoining Church of St. Francis of Assisi. This museum is called the Archaeological Museum of Goa.

The St Francis Xavier Church or ‘Basilica of Bom Jesus’ or Borea Jezuchi Bajilika is another nearby church. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, where the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier are kept and stands to the west of Se Cathedral. Saint Francis died on December 2, 1552, and his mortal remains were brought back to Goa after being at Portuguese Malacca for around two years. Public viewing of the body of Saint Francis is allowed once every ten years, and the last viewing was allowed from Nov. 22, 2014, to Jan. 4, 2015.

How Do I Go to Se Cathedral Goa, the Famous Church in Goa?

This Grand and most impressive Church in Goa is in old Goa. Old Goa is around ten kilometers from Panaji Goa, the capital city of Goa.

What is the Mass Timings at Se Church Goa?

Se Cathedral Goa, a famous church in India, has church masses at 7.15 a.m., 10.00 a.m., and 4.00 p.m. on Sundays and 7.30 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. on Weekdays.