[Goanet-News] Goa Churches Figure As World Heritage Sites (Fr Desmond de Souza, CSsR)

[Goanet News]

Goa Churches Figure As World Heritage Sites

By Fr Desmond de Sousa CSsR, SAR NEWS

PANAJI, Goa (SAR NEWS) -- "How to become and remain a World Heritage
Site" and "How to manage World Heritage Sites" are the topics for two
back-to-back workshops organised by the Archeological Survey of India
(ASI), the Karnataka Government and the UNESCO, Delhi Office.

The first workshop in Hampi Karnataka from June 15-18 aims at
capacity-building of site managers, professionals and administrators
from ASI and other departments and institutions related to world
heritage sites. Various themes will be presented by national and
international experts, followed by discussions, group work sessions
and field visits.

Deputy Superintendent archaeologist of ASI, Goa, will facilitate a
group work session on the Churches and convents of Goa. His session
will include the approach and methodology for the excavation and
conservation of St. Augustine's monastery, Old Goa, to enhance the
tangible and intangible values of the site, in which he has been
personally involved for a long time, searching for the authentic
remains of the saintly Queen Ketavan of Georgia.

Tthe recommendations of the Hampi workshop will be presented in
Bangalore June 20-21. The participants of the workshop will include
among others, the UNESCO, the Environment Ministry and the Indian
Railways. They are the owners of various heritage structures like
Victoria Terminus in Mumbai and some old trains.
Goa's Cultural Heritage

India and Goa in particular, has many heritage sites worthy of being
classified as world heritage sites. There is a concerted effort of
Goa's tourism policy to focus on cultural tourism as a specific
dimension of tourism. Parts of Goa remain like untouched pages out of
the history book. Grand old houses, intricately carved temples,
grandiose churches and historical monuments are like a treasure trove
of historical nuggets.

Besides the churches and convents, there is the Museum of Christian
Art in Old Goa, where unique pieces of history lie. Christian
artefacts are a confluence of Eastern and Western art forms dating
back to the 17th century. "Indian and Portuguese art mingled together
to form a varied hue," explains Natasha Fernandes, curator of the
Museum. "If you look at the statues on display, they have a distinct
Indian touch in them. For instance, the two angels on the wall have
curly black hair and a darker complexion. It was goan artisans who
sculptured the statues and fine furnishings that adorn the churches.

They have used local materials for their work."

The museum also houses a rich collection of statues and paintings of
saints. One of the earliest pieces is a 17th century painting of St.
Ursula. Also on display are shiny glass cases showcasing pieces of
ancient religious texts, beautifully embroidered priestly vestments
and religious vessels. At the centre of the museum is a huge,
beautifully crafted, silver Pelican sitting atop a globe. It heart
holds the tabernacle where the Blessed Sacrament was exposed. "These
antiques have not come easily," explains Natasha, "and a lot of money
was involved in the restoration and preservation of these antique
pieces."

Overlooking the Church square of the historic village of Chandor, lies
the palatial Menezes-Branganza house, probably the biggest residence
in Goa. "The house was built in the 16th century by two sons belonging
to the illustrious Braganza family," declares nonagenarian Ida Menezes
Braganza very proudly. She is not only preserving the palatial
Braganza house at Chandor single-handedly, but also the rich heritage
of an era gone by.

A large portrait of Francis Xavier Braganza adorns the walls. "He
converted large fallow lands into fertile fields and pampered the
house with the wealth generated through the agriculture", explains
Ida. "Unfortunately in 1962 we lost all these large lands through the
Land Reforms Act, which gave the land to the tiller. I was left with
no means to maintain our priceless heritage," she moans. Of particular
interest are two porcelain vases belonging to St. Francis Xavier and
which bear the court of arms of his royal family.

The old Goa Medical College (GMC) buildings lend heritage character to
Goa's capital Panjim. One building faces the Mandovi River and houses
the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) office. Built in 1927, today it
is one of the most attractive buildings in Panjim. Filmmakers make a
beeline to shoot its neo-classical architecture. The green tile work
is amazing. But that is the magic and beauty of all our heritage
structures.

Another ochre building faces the market side by side with an ancient
chapel. The complex was originally the Palace of Maquineses built in
the year 1702. This palace belonged to the brothers, Diogo da Costa
Ataide e Teive and Cristovam da Costa Ataide e Teive, of the local
Portuguese nobility, the Condes dos Maquineses.

On November 5, 1842, the first medical school in the whole of Asia was
inaugurated in the buildings of this palace. The Escola Medico
Cirurgica de Nova Goa, is the umbilical cord of so many Goans. They
have been born there.

The treasure trove of Goa's Christian cultural heritage stretches
beyond its ancient Churches and convents. It extends to religious
artifacts and paintings, buildings and historic sites.