The Se Cathedral of Old Goa

The Se Cathedral of Old Goa, dedicated to St Catherine, is one of the largest churches in Asia and among the most imposing monuments of the Portuguese period in India. Built over many decades across the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, it stands in the heart of Old Goa, the former capital of Portuguese India, close to the Basilica of Bom Jesus. The cathedral is built in a Portuguese style, with Tuscan detailing on its exterior, and is famous for its single surviving tower, which houses a great bell known as the Golden Bell. It forms part of the group inscribed by UNESCO as the Churches and Convents of Goa, a key monument of the history of the history of Goa. This article explains its location, history, architecture, the Golden Bell and its living significance within the rich heritage of Goa.

Key Takeaways

• The Se Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Old Goa, dedicated to St Catherine.
• It is one of the largest churches in Asia, built over the 16th and 17th centuries.
• It was raised in the Portuguese period, in a Portuguese style with Tuscan detailing.
• It has a single surviving tower, housing the great bell known as the Golden Bell.
• It forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage group, the Churches and Convents of Goa.
• It remains an active cathedral and a major monument of Old Goa.

The sections below explain where the cathedral stands, how it was built, and what a visitor can see today.

Quick Facts

What Is the Se Cathedral of Old Goa?

The Se Cathedral of Old Goa is a great Roman Catholic cathedral dedicated to St Catherine, counted among the largest churches in Asia and one of the most imposing monuments of the Portuguese period in India. Built over many decades across the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, it stands in the heart of Old Goa, the former capital of Portuguese India, and forms part of the group inscribed by UNESCO as the Churches and Convents of Goa. What distinguishes the cathedral is its great size, its Portuguese architecture, its single surviving tower and the famous bell it houses, known as the Golden Bell. It remains an active cathedral as well as a major monument. The Se Cathedral of Old Goa is therefore best understood as both a living church and one of the great survivals of the old capital, a vast and historic cathedral that stands among the chief monuments of the Christian heritage of Goa.

Where Is the Se Cathedral Located?

The Se Cathedral is located in Old Goa, also called Velha Goa, the former capital of Portuguese India, which lies a short distance inland from the modern state capital of Panaji on the banks of the Mandovi river. Old Goa was once a great city, the centre of Portuguese power and of Christian life in the East, and though much of it has vanished, its churches and convents survive as a remarkable ensemble. The cathedral stands at the heart of these monuments, close to the Basilica of Bom Jesus and the other great churches of the old city. Roads connect the site with Panaji and the wider region. The surrounding area is quiet and green, scattered with historic buildings. The location of the Se Cathedral therefore places it at the very heart of Old Goa, among the surviving churches of the former Portuguese capital, a short journey from the modern life of Panaji in the state of Goa.

To Whom Is the Cathedral Dedicated?

The Se Cathedral is dedicated to St Catherine, honoured in the Roman Catholic tradition, and the dedication gives the cathedral its sacred title. The word Se, from the Portuguese, denotes a cathedral, the principal church of a diocese and the seat of its bishop, so that the Se Cathedral is understood as the great cathedral church of the old capital. Its dedication to St Catherine reflects the devotion of the Portuguese who built it and the custom of placing churches under the patronage of saints. As the cathedral of Goa, it held a position of particular dignity in the religious life of the old city. The dedication has remained attached to the church through the centuries. The dedication of the Se Cathedral to St Catherine therefore marks its religious identity and its standing as the chief cathedral of Old Goa, the seat of the Church in the former Portuguese capital of India.

When Was the Cathedral Built?

The Se Cathedral was built over many decades, across the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, during the Portuguese period in Goa, when Old Goa was the flourishing capital of Portuguese India. The construction of so great a church was a long undertaking, carried out in stages over a span of years, as was common for cathedrals of such scale, so that the building is best understood as the work of several generations rather than a single moment. Its slow completion reflects the ambition of the Portuguese settlement at its height and the importance given to its chief cathedral. Later centuries saw the old city decline, while the cathedral endured as its greatest surviving church. The building of the Se Cathedral therefore belongs to the long flourishing age of Portuguese Goa, a vast cathedral raised over many decades at the heart of the old capital and standing today as one of the grandest survivals of that era.

Why Is It One of the Largest Churches in Asia?

The Se Cathedral is often described as one of the largest churches in Asia because of its great size, with a long and lofty interior that makes it one of the most imposing churches of the continent. Built as the chief cathedral of the Portuguese capital in the East, it was raised on a grand scale befitting its dignity, with a spacious nave, aisles and chapels. Its sheer size sets it apart from most other churches of the region and contributes much to its fame. The scale reflects both the resources and the ambitions of the Portuguese settlement at its height. The vast interior continues to impress visitors today. The description of the Se Cathedral as one of the largest churches in Asia therefore captures one of its most striking qualities, for its great size, raised to serve as the cathedral of Portuguese India, makes it a monument of exceptional scale among the churches of the East.

What Is the Golden Bell?

The Golden Bell is the great bell housed in the surviving tower of the Se Cathedral, famous as one of the most celebrated features of the church and widely admired for its sound. Hung high in the tower, the bell is counted among the notable bells of the region, and its name reflects the esteem in which it is held. It has long been associated with the cathedral and forms part of the fabric of its history. The bell’s fame is bound up with the tower that holds it, the one of the cathedral’s towers that survives. For visitors the Golden Bell is among the memorable aspects of the church. As with many such features, accounts of its qualities are handed down by tradition and local pride. The Golden Bell therefore adds to the renown of the Se Cathedral, a celebrated bell in the surviving tower whose name and reputation have become part of the identity of the great cathedral of Old Goa.

Who Is St Catherine?

St Catherine, to whom the Se Cathedral is dedicated, is a saint honoured in the Roman Catholic tradition, commonly identified as St Catherine of Alexandria, and her patronage gives the cathedral its sacred title. In Christian tradition she is remembered as an early saint and martyr, venerated across the Catholic world and associated in devotion with learning and steadfastness of faith. The choice of St Catherine as patron of the cathedral reflects the piety of the Portuguese who built it and the custom of dedicating great churches to revered saints. As with the lives of early saints, her story is handed down largely through tradition and devotional memory. Her patronage links the cathedral to the wider veneration of the saints. St Catherine therefore stands as the patron of the Se Cathedral, her name giving the chief church of Old Goa its dedication and connecting it to the devotion to the saints that runs through the Christian heritage of Goa.

What Is the Architectural Style?

The architectural style of the Se Cathedral is Portuguese, reflecting the building traditions the Portuguese brought to Goa, with Tuscan detailing on its exterior and rich decoration within. The style of the period combined European forms with the resources of the settlement, and the cathedral displays a dignified and massive exterior together with an elaborate interior. Its facade and proportions reflect the taste of the age, while within, the main altar, chapels and furnishings carry the decoration proper to a great cathedral. The use of local materials joined with European design is characteristic of the churches of Old Goa. The result is a building of grandeur and solemnity suited to its role as a cathedral. The architectural style of the Se Cathedral therefore unites Portuguese design with the setting of Goa, producing a vast and dignified church whose exterior detailing and rich interior make it one of the foremost examples of the religious architecture of the old capital.

What Happened to the Cathedral's Towers?

The Se Cathedral is notable for having a single surviving tower, for tradition holds that it once had two, one of which was lost in the course of its long history. According to accounts widely repeated, one of the cathedral’s towers collapsed or was destroyed, traditionally said to have fallen in the eighteenth century, leaving the church with the single tower that stands today and houses the Golden Bell. As with many such accounts of old buildings, the details rest on tradition and record handed down over time and are best treated with appropriate care. The loss of one tower has given the cathedral its distinctive asymmetrical appearance. The surviving tower remains a prominent feature of the church. The story of the cathedral’s towers therefore forms part of its history, explaining the single tower that marks the Se Cathedral today and that holds the celebrated Golden Bell above the monuments of Old Goa.

What Is the Interior of the Cathedral Like?

The interior of the Se Cathedral is vast and solemn, with a long nave leading toward the main altar, flanked by aisles and lined with chapels, in the manner of a great cathedral. The main altar is richly decorated, a focus of the spacious interior, while the side chapels hold their own altars and devotional furnishings. The scale of the interior is among the features that make the cathedral famous as one of the largest churches in Asia. The decoration throughout reflects the religious art of the Portuguese period, combining European forms with the craftsmanship of Goa. The great space serves both worship and the dignity of a cathedral church. For visitors the interior conveys the grandeur of the old capital at its height. The interior of the Se Cathedral therefore gives the church much of its impact, a vast and richly adorned space that continues to serve as the cathedral of Goa and to impress all who enter it.

Why Is It a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

The Se Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the group inscribed as the Churches and Convents of Goa, recognised for their outstanding historical and cultural value. UNESCO, the United Nations body concerned with heritage, maintains a list of sites considered of exceptional importance to humanity, and the churches of Old Goa were included for their role in the history of Christianity in Asia and for their architecture. The cathedral, as the greatest of these churches, is a key part of the inscribed group. The World Heritage status brings both recognition and a responsibility to protect the monuments, and it draws visitors from around the world. It links the cathedral to the other great churches of the old city. The World Heritage status of the Se Cathedral therefore underlines its international importance, marking it as one of the monuments of Old Goa judged worthy of preservation as part of the shared heritage of humanity.

What Is the Cathedral's Role in Christian Goa?

The Se Cathedral plays a central role in the Christian heritage of Goa as the chief cathedral of the old capital, the seat of the Church in Portuguese India and one of the foremost churches of the land. Christianity took deep root in Goa in the Portuguese period, and the cathedral, as the principal church, held a position of particular dignity in the religious life of the city. It remains an active cathedral, serving its congregation and the wider Church, while also standing as a great monument of the history of the faith. For the Christian community of Goa it is a cherished church. Its prominence among the monuments of Old Goa reflects its historic standing. The role of the Se Cathedral in Christian Goa therefore extends from its past as the seat of the Church in the old capital to its present life as a living cathedral, central to the Christian heritage of the state.

How Does It Compare With the Basilica of Bom Jesus?

The Se Cathedral compares with the nearby Basilica of Bom Jesus as one of the two most famous churches of Old Goa, each a monument of the Portuguese period and part of the same UNESCO group, yet differing in character. The Se Cathedral, dedicated to St Catherine, is one of the largest churches in Asia, built over many decades and known for its surviving tower and the Golden Bell. The Basilica of Bom Jesus, smaller but intensely revered, is distinguished by its Baroque style and above all by the relics of St Francis Xavier. Comparing the two reveals the range of the religious architecture of the old city, from the vast cathedral to the richly venerated basilica. Both stand close together among the monuments of Old Goa. The comparison between the Se Cathedral and the Basilica of Bom Jesus therefore illuminates the heritage of the former capital, in which these two great churches together represent the splendour of Christian Goa.

What Is Old Goa?

Old Goa, also called Velha Goa, is the former capital of Portuguese India, once a great and flourishing city and now a quiet place remarkable for its surviving churches and convents, among them the Se Cathedral. In the Portuguese period Old Goa was the centre of power, trade and the Christian faith in the East, a city of considerable size and splendour. Over time, as conditions changed and the capital was eventually moved, much of the old city declined and was abandoned, but its great religious buildings endured. Today these monuments, set in green and tranquil surroundings, draw visitors from across India and the world. The Se Cathedral stands among the greatest of them. Old Goa therefore provides the historic setting of the Se Cathedral, a former capital whose vanished grandeur survives chiefly in its churches, of which the cathedral is one of the most imposing monuments of the Christian heritage of Goa.

How Is the Cathedral Preserved?

The Se Cathedral is preserved through continuing worship together with the care given to a protected and World Heritage monument, the responsibility shared by church and heritage authorities. As a living cathedral it is maintained for its congregation, while as a monument of great historical value it receives the conservation attention proper to such a site. Challenges include the humid coastal climate of Goa, the effects of time on the old fabric and the great scale of the building, and the pressures that come with large numbers of visitors. Conservation aims to protect the structure and its interior while sustaining the religious life of the church. Because arrangements and access can change, visitors are advised to seek current information before travelling, and to behave respectfully within the cathedral. The preservation of the Se Cathedral therefore depends on cooperation between church authorities, heritage bodies and the visitors who value this great cathedral among the monuments of Old Goa.

How Can Visitors Plan a Visit?

Visitors can plan a visit to the Se Cathedral most easily by travelling to Old Goa, a short journey inland from Panaji, the capital of Goa, where the cathedral stands among the other great churches of the former Portuguese capital. The cooler, drier months of the year are generally the most comfortable for visiting Goa, while the monsoon brings heavy rain. Modest, respectful dress is appropriate, and visitors should behave quietly, as it is an active place of worship, and follow any guidance on photography. Seeing the cathedral alongside the neighbouring Basilica of Bom Jesus and the other monuments gives a fuller sense of Old Goa. Allowing time to take in the great interior and the surviving tower rewards the visitor. Checking current arrangements in advance is sensible. A well prepared visit therefore allows the Se Cathedral and the monuments of Old Goa to be appreciated calmly and with the respect due to a living cathedral church.

The Se Cathedral Today

The Se Cathedral of Old Goa today remains both a living cathedral and one of the great monuments of India, cherished for its vast scale, its Portuguese architecture, its surviving tower and the famous Golden Bell. Standing at the heart of the surviving churches of Old Goa, it continues to draw worshippers, pilgrims and travellers from across India and around the world. As part of the Churches and Convents of Goa, it connects the living faith of today to the long history of Christianity in the land and to the age of Portuguese Goa. Continued care, respectful tourism and the life of its congregation help ensure that it endures for future generations. For those exploring Goa, the cathedral offers an impressive encounter with history and faith. The Se Cathedral thus stands as a lasting witness to the Christian heritage of Goa, the grandest surviving church of the old capital and one of the largest in Asia.

Sources & Further Reading

• Archaeological Survey of India (asi.nic.in).
• UNESCO World Heritage Centre (whc.unesco.org).
• Department of Tourism, Government of Goa (goa-tourism.gov.in).

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Se Cathedral located?

The Se Cathedral is located in Old Goa, the former capital of Portuguese India, a short distance inland from the modern state capital of Panaji. It stands at the heart of the surviving great churches of the old city.

What is the Se Cathedral known for?

It is known as one of the largest churches in Asia, dedicated to St Catherine and built in the Portuguese period. It is especially famous for its single surviving tower and the great bell it houses, known as the Golden Bell.

What is the Golden Bell?

The Golden Bell is the great bell housed in the surviving tower of the Se Cathedral, celebrated and widely admired for its sound. Its name reflects the esteem in which it is held, and it is one of the most memorable features of the church.

Why does the cathedral have only one tower?

Tradition holds that the cathedral once had two towers, one of which was lost, traditionally said to have fallen in the eighteenth century. As with many such accounts of old buildings, the details rest on tradition and are best treated with care.

When was the Se Cathedral built?

The cathedral was built over many decades across the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, during the Portuguese period in Goa. The construction of so great a church was a long undertaking carried out in stages over many years.

Why is the Se Cathedral a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

The cathedral is part of the group inscribed by UNESCO as the Churches and Convents of Goa, recognised for their outstanding historical and cultural value. The churches were included for their role in the history of Christianity in Asia and for their architecture.