Goa • 2 monuments
Established by the Capuchins Monks way back in 1613, Pilar Seminary is among the two surviving seminaries out of the four originally built by the Portuguese. Located on a small hillock, it finds home at the Church of Our Lady of Pilar and was built to impart knowledge about theology among the students. The top highlights of the place are the statue of Our Lady of Pilar (brought form Spain), Tomb of Father Agnelo D’Souza and a small museum which houses Portuguese coins, excavated sculptures, pottery pieces, palm-leaf manuscripts and many other interesting exhibits. Other highlights of the place include the rare-to-find colourful stained-glass windows, an inimitable baroque doorway and some very enchanting frescos. From the top of the chapel’s building, you get to enjoy the spectacular views of Arabian Sea, River Zuari, coconut plantations and rice fields. The seminary attracts devotees in large numbers every Thursday and during the procession of Saints. The cool and peaceful ambience of the place seems to have nothing in its parallel.
Old Goa is home to many important churches and cathedrals, the St, Cajetan Church being one of them. Formerly known as the Church of Our Lady of Diving Providence, it boasts of breathtaking architecture, mixing the elements of Corinthian and Baroque styles. Made of lime-plastered laterite blocks, the church features turrets which work as belfries or bell towers and the total of 7 baroque style altars. The Church was constructed in 1661 and was inspired by Rome’s Basilica of St. Peter. While the main altar is dedicated to Our Lady of Diving Providence, there are three altars on its each side, dedicated to St. Cajetan, St, John, St. Agnes, St. Clare, Our Lady of Piety and the Holy Family. Canvas paintings, wooden pulpit and huge piers add to the fabulous interiors. Internally, the church body takes the form of a Greek cross. Interestingly, there is a well inside the temple which indicates the possible existence of a Hindu temple at the site.
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