Church Of Our Lady Of Rosary

Historical | Pilgrimage

Photo Credit: Flickr

Distance (From Kadamba Bus Terminus): 9 Kms

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 1 Hour

Place Location: Old Goa

Transportation Options: Cab / Auto / Rental Bike

Travel Tips: This place is usaully visited from St. Augustin Tower (0.5 kms). Following places can be visited from here:

Basilica of Bom Jesus (1 km), Se Cathedral (1 km), Church of St Francis of Assisi (0.8 kms), Church of St Cajetan (1.4 kms), Museum Of Christian Art (0.2 kms), Church of St John of God (0.3 kms), San Pedro Church (1.4 kms), Our Lady of Help Church (1.5 km), Chapel of St. Francis Xavier (2.2 kms), Church of Our Lady of the Mount (2.6 kms), Church of the Cross of Miracles (2 kms)

At a distance of 9 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand, 27 km from Vasco Da Gama Railway Station and 36 km from Margao Railway Station, The Church of Our Lady of Rosary is the oldest church situated in Old Goa. This place is part of UNESCO World Heritage Site (Churches & Convents of Goa).

The Church of Our Lady of Rosary is located atop the Monte Santo or the Holy Hill. The church stands on the site of Portuguese leader Alfonso de Albuquerque's victory over the armies of Bijapur Sultan in 1510. In fact the Lady of Rosary church is believed to be built by de Albuquerque as a sign of gratitude for his victory.

The church is an excellent example of Manueline style architecture of the early Portuguese. With windows near the roof and rounded towers, the church looks more like a fortress. The church has a two storied portico. It is built with laterite and plastered with lime mortar. The portico as well as the facade of the church has rounded towers on either side with the cross on top. The church roof is tiled and is supported by wooden rafters.

The church has three alters and two chapels. The main alter is dedicated to the Lady of Rosary. There is a marble cenotaph to the right of the main alter and it commemorates the marriage of Dona Catharina with Viceroy Garcia De Sa that was performed by St. Francis Xavier.

Every year in the month of November the church holds a feast with traditional processions and novenas and the family responsible for the celebration of the feast, paints the church. The feast celebrations include grand fireworks, dance performances, Konkani concerts and fashion shows.

Timings: 9 am to 5:30 pm on all days.