Se Cathedral

Se Cathedral tickets: which one to buy

The Sé Cathedral, the Cathedral of Saint Catherine, stands in Old Goa, the former capital of Portuguese India, about ten kilometres east of Panaji in the Indian state of Goa, and entry is free. It is one of the largest churches in Asia and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Churches and Convents of Goa. The cathedral stands on a wide lawn across from the Basilica of Bom Jesus, which holds the remains of Saint Francis Xavier, and visitors usually see both together, along with the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi and its Archaeological Museum, the Church of Saint Cajetan, modelled on Saint Peter's in Rome, the ruins of the Church of Saint Augustine with its tall tower, and the Viceroy's Arch.

Buses and taxis run from Panaji to Old Goa in about twenty minutes, and the site is often visited on day tours from the beach resorts. The cathedral is active, and visitors should dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, and remain quiet during masses. The grounds have little shade, so bring water and a hat. Old Goa is a quiet place today, with palm trees and monuments where a busy city once stood.

Visiting Se Cathedral: what to see

The Portuguese captured Goa in 1510 under Afonso de Albuquerque on the feast day of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, and the cathedral was dedicated to her in thanks. Construction of the present building began in 1562, under King Sebastian of Portugal, and it continued for decades, with the church completed in 1619 and consecrated in 1640. The exterior is in the Portuguese-Manueline tradition, with a Tuscan facade, and the interior is Corinthian. The facade originally had two towers, but one collapsed in 1776 and was never rebuilt, giving the cathedral its asymmetric appearance.

The remaining tower holds the Golden Bell, one of the largest bells in Goa, famous for its rich tone. Inside, the vast nave leads to the main altar, dedicated to Saint Catherine, with a huge gilded retable carved with scenes of her life and martyrdom. The cathedral has chapels along both sides, decorated with gilded altars and paintings. The Chapel of the Cross of Miracles holds a cross that, according to tradition, grew in size after an apparition of Christ was seen on it in the seventeenth century. The baptismal font, from the sixteenth century, is said to have been used by Saint Francis Xavier.

Se Cathedral opening hours and the best time to go

The cathedral is open daily, with masses in the morning. Goa's best season is from November to February, when the weather is dry and warm, and March to May are very hot. The monsoon, from June to September, brings heavy rain, but the landscape is lush. The feast of Saint Catherine on 25 November and the Feast of Saint Francis Xavier on 3 December, when crowds of pilgrims come to Old Goa, bring celebrations. Allow about half an hour for the cathedral, and visit Bom Jesus across the road.