museum of Christian art
The Museum of Christian Art founded in 1994, was initially located in the Seminary of Rachol, Salcete, Goa, but has now been relocated within the precincts of the Convent of Santa Monica, in the vicinity of the Old Goa UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Museum houses a very important and unique collection of Christian Art objects spanning from the 16th century to the middle of the 20th century. Recognised the world over as a perfect symbiosis of two cultural manifestations, Indian and Portuguese, these Indo-Portuguese Christian art objects, besides their antiquity, are known for their Indian (predominantly Hindu) contribution, and whether ivory, silverware, woodwork, or embroidered liturgical vestments, they are all of surprising richness and perfection.
The Portuguese who arrived in Goa in 1510, brought along with them religious orders who came with the purpose of evangelisation. Churches like the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, and the Mosteiro da Santa Monica in Old Goa were erected by these missionaries, who also introduced masterpieces of Christian sculpture in ivory, wood, and clay depicting images of Christ on the cross, of the Virgin Mary under different invocations, of saints, and of angels. Local artists, silver smiths, gold smiths, wood carvers were often asked to copy these objects, and consciously or unconsciously, they began to superimpose their own Indian artistic style on these European objects of art.
The museum is in pleasant surroundings, and the added attractions are the garden cafeteria, serving tea, coffee, and soft drinks, and “Step Inn” the museum shop, where one can pick up handmade stationery, icons, postcards, and books about Goa.
The Museum is open to the public 7 days a week (Monday to Sunday) from 09.30 hours to 17.00 hours. The entrance fees are priced at Rs. 100/- per Adult, Rs. 50/- per Student.
