Museum Of Christian Art, Goa Overview

Located adjoining the convent of Santa Monica in Old Goa, Museum Of Christian Art houses a fine collection of Christian artifacts belonging to the 16th century when Portuguese ruled Goa. The 2,000 sq ft Museum has over 150 artifacts to showcase the rich art and heritage of Christianity in Goa. The artworks also show the cultural harmony within the people of India as many of the Christian sculptures were carved by local Hindu artists.

The exquisite Museum was founded in 1994 with the help of the Archdiocese of Goa and was financed jointly by the Portuguese Association and Indian National Trust of Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). The uniqueness of the Museum of Christian Art is that the visitors can relate the statues and sculptures with Indian culture as there is an Indian look and feel to the Christian characters. You can combine a visit here with a visit to Basilica De Bom Jesus.

How To Reach Museum Of Christian Art

The Museum of Christian Art in Goa is located close to the Convent of Santa Monica in Velha, Old Goa. If you plan to visit the Museum, it is better to access it by a bus or car from Panaji (10 kilometres) or Margao (33 kilometres). Buses and local transports ply frequently on this route so reaching the museum would not be much of a hassle.

Things to See at The Museum of Christian Art

See the things used by the Priests:

The Museum of Christian Art possesses a number of collections which establishes the connection between Goa and the Christian culture. The ornate and embroidered vestment which the Priests wear for saying Mass is one of them. The ‘mass kit’ or the collection of items which the priests used to carry with them while travelling to nearby villages is another interesting thing to see.

Witness beautiful paintings and sculptures:

There are a number of exquisite artistic marvels in the Museum in the forms of the beautiful painting of St Ursula which once was on the wall of the Se Cathedral of Santa Catarina of Goa and a sculpture of Jesus named the Good Shepherd dating back to the 17th Century carved from ivory. An exquisite bust of St Margaret of Antioch is another wonder in the Museum of Christian Art which has a noticeable cavity on its chest and a mythological creature (probably a dragon) reclining in front of it. Apart from these notable exhibits, there are also some sculptures and paintings made with valuable items, carving on wood and ivory, chalices and salvers made up of expensive metals which you simply cannot miss. Crucifixes, ornaments and other holy implements used in the Masses are also present for display in the Museum of Christian Art which depicts the connection between Christianity and the people of Goa.

Pay a visit to the Church of Weeping Cross:

You can also visit the Church of the Weeping Cross which is situated adjacent to the Museum of Christian Art. Though poorly maintained, the Statue on the Cross in this Church is important as locals say that the Statue wept tears of blood in the 17th Century, after which many pilgrims frequented the Church in order to witness the miracle once again.