Church of Our Lady of the Rosary is one of the earliest churches of Old Goa. The church is located atop the Monte Santo or the Holy Hill overlooking the Mandovi River and Divar Island. The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary situated on the spot from where Alphonso de Albuquerque guided his troops to victory in 1510. The church was Old Goa`s parish church since 1543. In fact the Lady of Rosary church is said to be built by de Albuquerque as a sign of gratitude for his victory. The Church marked the first triumph of Portuguese in Goa.
Since its inception the Lady of Rosary church has been under the guardianship of the Franciscans. The church was held in greatly revered by the devotees. It is said here St. Francis Xavier used to teach catechism every evening to the public.
Architecture of Our Lady of the Rosary
The architecture of architecture of Our Lady of the Rosary is of Manuelin style named after King Emmanuel of Portugal. The style depicts the confluence of Gothic and Renaissance architecture and is exclusive to Portugal of that time. It is built of laterite and plastered with lime mortar. It has a double-storied portico as well as facade which have rounded towers on either side with the cross on top. The Church of Lady Rosary looks more like a fortress with the windows close to the roof and rounded towers. In front of its altar lies the tombstone of Garcia de Sa, one of the early governors of Goa. The main altar bears the image of Nossa Senhora de Rozario or Our Lady of the Rosary.
Interior of Our Lady of the Rosary
The interior of the church is in the form of Cruciform with a square apse with a choir gallery just above the main entrance. The porch has two stories and the facade has round shaped towers on either side. There are two chapels and three altars inside the Church. The main altar is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. To the right of the main altar there is a tomb of Dona Catarina whose marriage with Viceroy Garcia De Sa was performed by St. Francis Xavier. The interior design of the church bears a distinct Hindu influence. The main altar is adorned with motifs like mangoes, cashew nuts and flowers.
