|
 |
Not far to the west of the
Basilica of the Bom Jesus is the
Holy Hill at the extremity of which is the Church of Our Lady of the
Rosary. Built of laterite and plastered with lime mortar, it has a
two-storey portico.
The portico as well as the
façade of the church has rounded towers on either side with the cross on
top. The roof of the church is tiled, supported by wooden rafters.
There are two chapels and three altars. The main altar is dedicated to
our Lady of the Rosary. The church, with windows near the roof and with
rounded towers giving an impression of a fortress church, is Manuline in
style though Gothic influence can be seen in the rib-vault at the
portico.
|
|
To the right of the main
altar is a marble cenotaph commemorating Dona Catarina whose marriage
with Viceroy Garcia De Sa was performed by St. Francis Xavier.
The cenotaph slightly projecting from the wall is artistically decorated
with carved miniature pillars and inscriptions in Portuguese and has a
triangular pediment crowned by a shell moulding. The foliage and other
decorations emanating from a vase closely resemble those on the tombs of
Gujarat, thus suggesting influence of a regional art-style.
This votive chapel was built in fulfilment of a vow taken by Afonso de
Albuquerque while reviewing the battle between his forces and those of
the Bijapur sultan from the same spot, on which the church stands. The
vow, however, could be fulfilled only after his death, since this church
was built in 1544-49.
How to
reach
Nearest airport is Goa
International Airport (IATA: GOI, ICAO: VOGO), more commonly known
as Dabolim Airport, is an
international airport located in the city of Dabolim in Goa.
One can easily reach Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and Royal Chapel of St Anthony from the city by taking local Buses,
Rickshaws, Tongas and Taxis.
|
