EnglishChurch
Santa Cruz de Bambolim, Goa, India
Religious Architecture
Santa Cruz (the village of Calaphur, as it was designated until at least the 17th century) was handed over to the Dominicans when the Islands parishes were distributed by the European secular clergy, along with Taleigao, Siridao and Morombim-o-Grande (Saint Barbara’s Chapel, now dependent on the parish of Merces). The church was built from the 1540s to the 1560s. As in all the Islands churches, it was perfected in the late 16th century and probably endowed with a barrel vault in the chancel, along with decoration for the triumphal arch, high choir, doors and tower, etc. In 1710 the Dominicans thoroughly remodelled the church. The adjacent tower was kept, characteristic of the original Islands architecture, though a more modern façade was built with superimposed orders and crown derived from Bom Jesus in Old Goa; the tower was also redecorated. The chancel and sacristy also date to 1710; both have groin vaults with penetrations. The sacristy presents semicircular niches on the side walls and significant plaster decoration. The 19th century cemetery is located on the other side of the street in front of the church. It is an exception in Goa due to its characteristically urban placement, not rural or semi-rural. It comprises a rectangular walled perimeter arranged symmetrically with small turrets in the corners. The main entrance opens axially to face the church’s main door.