goa church architecture

03/05/2023 HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE III 1

GOAN CHURCHES

ARCHITECTURAL ANALYSIS


INTRODUCTIONGeographical LocationGoa is surrounded by Arabian Sea in West, Maharashtra state in the North and Western Ghats of Karnataka in the west and south. Old goa or ‘Velha’ Goa (Velha means ‘Old’ in Portuguese) is located 10km east from capital of Goa, Panaji.

Figure 1: Map of India, Map of Goa, UNESCO Monument (Source: NASA, Google Map)


Background of Goa

• Old-Goa was founded in the 15th century as a port on the banks of river Mandovi by the rulers of Bijapur Sultanate and was the second capital of Bijapur under the rule of Adil Shah.

• The Monuments of Old-Goa are the blend of Hindu, Mughal and Portuguese styles of Architecture. Several churches and convents are constructed from 15th to 17th century A.D. These are constructed with laterite stones and lime plaster which displays the fusion of Renaissance and Baroque styles.

• The city was captured by the Portuguese in 1510 from the ruler of Bijapur. Old-Goa was thus a Portuguese colony and a principal city of Eastern Empire. Ruled by Portuguese ruler for almost four centuries, it has a number of Churches and convents which are date back to 16th Century and are the best examples of Manueline and Gothic architecture with intricate detailing and ornamentation.

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HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE III

Monuments and styles of architecture The Portuguese induced the western culture in Goa through their monuments during their four hundred years long imperial rule. Several monuments of Old-Goa like churches and convents are constructed during the period of 15th and 17th century A.D. These structures are constructed of laterite stones and lime plastered which displays the affluent Architectural fusion of Renaissance and Baroque styles.

There are about fifty heritage sites and monuments in the Heritage areas of Old-Goa. Few of these are identified and managed by the ASI and State Archaeology. Remaining is managed by the local authorities. The UNESCO has declared seven monuments as world heritage monuments and sites namely:

(1) Chapel of St. Catherine (2) Church of St. Francis of Assisi(3) Church of Our Lady of the Rosary (4) Basilica of Bom Jesus (5) Se- Cathedral (6) Church of St. Cajetan(7) Church and Convent of St. Augustine in the year 1986.

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HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE III

Monuments and styles of architecture The Portuguese induced the western culture in Goa through their monuments during their four hundred years long imperial rule. Several monuments of Old-Goa like churches and convents are constructed during the period of 15th and 17th century A.D. These structures are constructed of laterite stones and lime plastered which displays the affluent Architectural fusion of Renaissance and Baroque styles.

There are about fifty heritage sites and monuments in the Heritage areas of Old-Goa. Few of these are identified and managed by the ASI and State Archaeology. Remaining is managed by the local authorities. The UNESCO has declared seven monuments as world heritage monuments and sites namely:

(1) Chapel of St. Catherine (2) Church of St. Francis of Assisi(3) Church of Our Lady of the Rosary (4) Basilica of Bom Jesus (5) Se- Cathedral (6) Church of St. Cajetan(7) Church and Convent of St. Augustine in the year 1986.


Location map of the goa heritage sites.


THE SE CATHEDRAL, VELHA GOA

Name: se cathedral de Santa CatarinaLocation: old goaCountry: IndiaDenomination: roman catholic

History

Founded: 1619Dedication: cathedrine of AlexandriaConsecrated: 1640

Architecture

Status: cathedralStyle: Portuguese - gothic


History

• One of the most ancient and celebrated religious buildings of Goa, this magnificent 16th century monument to the Roman Catholic rule in Goa under the Portuguese is the largest church in Asia.

• The word Sé is Portuguese for See.

• The Se Cathedral was built to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese under Afonso de Albuquerque over a Muslim army, leading to the capture of the city of Goa in 1510. Since the day of the victory happened to be on the feast of Saint Catherine, the cathedral was dedicated to her.

• It was commissioned by Governor George Cabral to be enlarged in 1552 on the remains of an earlier structure. Construction of the church began in 1562 in the reign of King Dom Sebastião. The cathedral was completed in 1619 and was consecrated in 1640.

• It had two towers, but one collapsed in 1776 and was never rebuilt.

sri harsha samineni


ARCHITECTURE

• The Se Cathedral is built in the Portuguese-Manueline style. This sumptuous, composite style of architecture was extremely popular in the late 16th Century. It combine elements of Late Gothic architecture with the Spanish Plateresque style, Mudejar, Flemish architecture and Italian Urban design.

• The exterior of this great cathedral is of the Tuscan order of architecture, notable for its plainness and simplicity.

• The church is 250 feet (76 m) in length and 181 feet (55 m) in breadth. The frontispiece stands 115 feet (35 m) high.


• The church is a false basilica (no clerestory windows between the nave and aisles) with nave, two side aisles and side chapels, transept and choir.

• The façade shows three bays with portals in the first storey and rectangular windows in the second.

• The additional central bay linked to its sides through curved walls resolves the height difference between nave and aisles and hides the roof behind it.

• An entablature between the storeys marks the gallery floor level over the entrance.

• Portals, windows and niches have detailed, erudite architectural frames, very close to the figures shown in the treatises, especially those of Serlio.


• The Cathedral has been built on a raised plinth of laterite, covered over with lime plaster.

• There is a long nave , two aisles and a transept. A bell tower is located to the southern side of the façade. The nave is barrel-vaulted while the crossing is rib-vaulted.

• Massive pillars support the vault in the nave and the choir, while the chapels on either side are separated by internal defences.

• The building is oblong on plan but has a cruciform layout in the interior.

Nave trancept

Aisle bell tower

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• There is a long nave, two aisles and a transept. A bell tower is located to the southern side of the façade. The nave is barrel-vaulted while the crossing is rib-vaulted.





• There is a long nave, two aisles and a transept. A bell tower is located to the southern side of the façade. The nave is barrel-vaulted while the crossing is rib-vaulted.



HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE III 1603/05/2023

• The main entrance in the façade has Corinthian columns on plinths supporting a pediment containing an inscription in Latin.

• There are four chapels on either side of the nave, two of which have perforated wooden screens across the entrance. The screens have a high degree of filigree carving which has transformed wood into most delicate insinuations of foliage.

• On the right of the nave, is the other screened chapel, the Chapel of the Cross of Miracles.

• Towering above the main altar is the huge gilded reredos. Scenes from the life of St Catherine, to whom the cathedral is dedicated, are carved on its six main panels.


• In the nave are two wooden pulpits projecting from two columns on the right.

• In the transept are six altars, three on either side of the main altar.

• The arches accommodating four of these altars are decorated with paintings depicting scenes from the lives of the saints.

• In the nave, near the altar, to the right is a projecting gallery on which is kept an 18th century organ.

• In the nave near the altar are seats for the canon and a throne for the archbishop.

• To the right is a door that leads to the sacristy, which is a barrel-vaulted structure with gilded altar showing a church modelled after St. Peter's Church in Rome.








3 altars on either side of main altar

main altar


ARCHITECTURAL PROPORTIONS IN THE SE CATHEDRAL OF GOA.

As the Cathedral of Goa is a Latin plan church, the starting point of the proportion analysis was its crossing. Firstly consider the crossing, including the built elements, i.e., the piers supporting the groin vault. The side of this square was denominated with the letter A.


Proportional analysis of facade based on module A


Proportional analysis of the interior section and elevation based on module A.


If we consider only the crossing’s free space without angulation, we get another square, which is nominated B.

Proportional analysis based on module B.


Proportional analysis of the façade based on module B.


Proportional analysis of the interior section and elevations based on module B.


BASCILICA OF BOM JESUS

Name: borea jezuchi bajilicaLocation: old goaCountry: indiaDenomination: roman catholic

History

Founded: 1594Consecrated: 1605Dedication: st francis Xavier

Architecture

Status: minor bascilicaStyle: baroque architecture


HISTORY• The Bom Jesus Basilica, perhaps Goa's

most famous church and among the most revered by Christians worldwide, is partially in ruins but still a model of simplicity and elegance, and a fine example of Jesuit architecture.

• This Church is dedicated to “Bom Jesus”, the word Bom Jesus refers as “Infant Jesus” or “Good Jesus”.

• • It was designed by 17th century

Florentine sculptor, Giovanni Fogginni. Construction was started in 1594 and completed in 1605 on May 15th.

• The Church holds the burial place and mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. His remains are ensconced in a glass container encased in a silver casket in the Basilica.


ARCHITECTURE

• The Basilica of Bom Jesus is a monument typical of the classic forms of plane architecture, introduced by the Society of Jesus, otherwise known as the Jesuits.

• The façade, which is of granite, represents features of five styles of architecture: Roman, Ionic, Doric, Corinthian and Composite.

• It measures 183 ft in length,55 ft in breath, and 61 ft in height. The main altar is 54 ft high and 30 ft broad.

• The interior of the church is built in Mosaico-Corinthian style and is remarkable for its charming simplicity.


• The imposing facade built out of black granite in an exquisite combination of the Doric, Corinthian and composite styles, is remarkable for its simplicity.

• The pillars and detail are carved from basalt which was brought from Bassein, some 300 kms away.


• The roof was originally tiled.

• The church is cruciform on plan.

• The flying buttresses on the northern side of the church are recent additions. A single-storeyed structure adjoining the church on its southern wing connects it with the professed house.

• The three-storeyed facade of the church shows ionic, doric and corinthian orders.

• It has a main entrance flanked by two smaller ones, each having corinthian columns supporting a pediment.

• There are two chapels, a main altar and a sacristy besides a choir inside the church itself. There is a belfry is at the back.


• As one enters, beneath the choir, to the right is an altar of St. Anthony and to the left is an exceedingly well-carved wooden statue of St. Francis Xavier.

• In the middle of the nave on the northern wall is the cenotaph of the benefactor of this church, Dom Jeronimo Mascarenhas, the Captain of Cochin, who died in 1593, bequeathing the resources out of which this church was built. The two columns supporting the choir bear slabs inscribed in Portuguese and Latin the dates of beginning of construction and the consecration.

• Opposite the cenotaph, projecting on the southern wall is a profusely carved wooden pulpit with a canopy on top. The pulpit has on its three sides the figures of Jesus, the four evangelists and four doctors of the church. The bottom of the pulpit depicts seven figures as though supporting it.


• A projecting gallery, which was intended for the use of dignitaries on solemn occasions, runs along the two longer sides of the Church.

• The main altar at the end of the nave is flanked by two decorated altars in the transept, one dedicated to Our Lady of Hope and the other to St. Michael.

• In the transept on the northern side is the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament.

• In the southern side in the transept is a chapel with gilded twisted columns and floral decorations of wood, where the sacred relics of the body of St. Francis Xavier are kept. The interior of this chapel is richly adorned with wooden carvings and paintings, depicting the scenes from the life of the Saint.






Main altar Chapels flanking the main altar


• Adjoining the Chapel of St. Francis Xavier is a corridor that leads to the sacristy, entered through an exquisitely carved wooden door. It is an oblong vaulted structure with an apse at the end.

• In the altar at the apse in an iron chest containing a golden rose blessed by the Pope Pius XII and gifted to this city in 1953.

• Inside the basilica the layout is simple but grand. A simple wooden one has now replaced the original vaulted ceiling. To the left of the door as you enter the basilica is a statue of St. Francis Xavier, but the visitor's attention is drawn to the huge and ornate gilded reredos which stretches from floor to ceiling behind the altar.


ARCHITECTURAL PROPORTIONS IN THE CHURCH BOM JESUS.

As the church Bom Jesus has not a cruciform plan, the approach taken to the proportions analysis was completely different from that of the se Cathedral.

The starting points were the church’s original major width and the form and proportion of the courtyard .Of the two, the church’s original major width is no longer evident because of the late 1650s amplifications of the lateral chapel.

the original width is now easily recognizable on the north side, which stands free as it sticks out of the main building.

This original major width was denominated A and is roughly 122 goa palms.

Façade, Church of Bom Jesus.

Dimensions in goa palms


Plan of the entire complex, Church of Bom Jesus.

Dimensions in goa palms


Interior elevation and section, Church of Bom Jesus. Dimensions in goa palms.


Proportional analysis of the plan of the complex of the Church of Bom Jesus based on module A.


Proportional analysis of the façade based on radius r, Church of Bom Jesus.


Proportional analysis of the plan of the complex of the Church of Bom Jesus based on radius r


Proportional analysis of the façade based on module A and radius r, Church of Bom Jesus.


CHURCH OF ST.FRANCIS OF ASSISSI

name: church of st.francis of assissiLocation: old goaCountry: indiaDenomination: roman catholic

History

Founded:1616

Architecture:

Status: churchStyle:


Church and Convent of St. Francis of Assisi, are the reminder of the Franciscan friars, who came to Goa in the early 16th century. After their arrival in 1517, with their consistent efforts they constructed a small chapel with three altars and a choir. Eventually in the year 1521, the chapel was modified into a church and dedicated to the Holy Ghost in 1602. Later, the church was pulled down and the present church was constructed on the same spot in 1616, retaining only the black stone gateway.


• To the west of the Se Cathedral is the former palace of the Archbishop that connects the Se Cathedral to the Convent and Church of St. Francis of Assisi. The structure is built of laterite blocks and is lime-plastered.

• The church faces west and has a nave with three chapels on either side, a choir, two altars in the transept and a main altar.

• To the north of the main altar is a belfry and a sacristy. The convent, which forms an annexure to the church, now houses the Archaeological Museum.

• The exterior of the Church is of the Tuscan Order while the main entrance is in Manuline style.

• The main altar is Baroque with Corinthian features. There are no aisles but only a nave, which is rib-vaulted.


• To the west of the Se Cathedral is the former palace of the Archbishop that connects the Se Cathedral to the Convent and Church of St. Francis of Assisi. The structure is built of laterite blocks and is lime-plastered.


• To the north of the main altar is a belfry and a sacristy. The convent, which forms an annexure to the church, now houses the Archaeological Museum.



Nave chapels altars

Transept main altar


• To the west of the Se Cathedral is the former palace of the Archbishop that connects the Se Cathedral to the Convent and Church of St. Francis of Assisi


• To the north of the main altar is a belfry and a sacristy.

• The convent, which forms an annexure to the church, now houses the Archaeological Museum.



Belfry sarcistry


• To the west of the Se Cathedral is the former palace of the Archbishop that connects the Se Cathedral to the Convent and Church of St. Francis of Assisi


• To the north of the main altar is a belfry and a sacristy.

• The convent, which forms an annexure to the church, now houses the Archaeological Museum.




• The internal buttress walls, separating the chapels and supporting the gallery on top, have frescoes showing intricate floral designs.

• In a niche on the façade, stands a statue of our lady of miracles brought from Jaffna in Sri Lanka. A wooden statue of St. Francis of Assisi adorns a pedestal bearing the insignia of the Franciscans. A wooden pulpit, richly carved with floral designs is to the left as one enters.

• Beneath a ribbed vault with frescoes showing floral decorations, is the main altar, which is gilded and has a richly carved niche with a tabernacle supported by the four evangelists


THANK YOU KRISHNAM RAJ AKILESH ANANTHARAMAIAH NALLURI SRI SAI AKHILKETAN NAIDU K ROKR DARSHAN KARTHIK SHETTY

goa church architecture

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