The Rachol Seminary Goa is a site of great religious significance which promoted Hinduism, Islam and Christianity in Goa. It is a major tourist attraction in Goa and is visited by numerous tourists all through the year.
History:
The Rachol Seminary Goa was a Muslim fortress which was later converted into a church by the Portuguese. The site was later converted to a prison. The Rachol Seminary in Goa was considered to be a seminal center for Theological Studies in the 16th century. The church was built in the year 1576 and was dedicated to Saint Ignatius Loyola who was the founder of the Jesuit order which is maintained even today. In 1762, the building was concerted to a Diocesan seminary. The seminary housed the first version of the printing press which used to produce Christian religious literatures. This press could manage to produce 16 books and the most prominent of them was the Gospels translation to Indian language. In this context, it must be mentioned that even some Hindu sculptures were unearthed when the seminary was constructed. This institution played an active role in promoting Christianity in India since its inception. The complex was built by the Jesuits in 1610 when it used to house a hospital and even a school for the poor along with the college to train the priests. One should go through the renaissance paintings displayed in the great hall of the Rachol Seminary.
Architecture:
The Rachol Seminary Goa is also known for its unique architecture. One will find the well carved statue of Saint Constantine, the first Roman Emperor who got converted to Christianity. The wonderfully carved and gilded main altarpiece is equally impressive. The seminary used to house the Museum of Christian Art that displayed the church artifacts collected from all corners of Goa.
Location:
Rachol is only 7 kms away from the commercial town of Margao. Raia is a small village in Rachol and you will find the seminary on the top of a small hillock in that village. The seminary is surrounded by the rice fields and the remains of an old Muslim fort.
Goatrip.com offers online information about the famous monuments and churches in Goa.
Other Churches of Goa:
| 
