One of Goa's finest creations is the Mae De Deus Church in Saligao, Bardez. Its illuminated view in the evenings and the nights has a paradisical charm. That is the best time to view this exquisite piece of Gothic architecture in Goa.


Originally situated at Daujim, a tiny suburb of Old Goa in the 16th century, of which today only the tallest cross on a pedestal is seen amongst shrubs and coconut groves. The church dedicated to the Mother of God or Our Lady came to be built at Bardez in the 19th century. The Saligao Church was inaugurated on November 26, 1873 and its foundation stone was laid on February 7,1867.

It was a dream of the Saligaonkars to see this Church as they had made many efforts in this direction. One such Saligainkar was Francisco Salvador Gama Pinto who discussed the proposal of building a church at Saligao with the archbishop of Goa. The Archbishop followed up this proposal and the inspector of Public works, Major Martins, was asked to draw up a plan for a Gothic Church.



The statue was installed in the church. All the black stones which adorn the church in several places were excavated from the site of the Mae De Deus convent in Daujim-Old Goa.

The exquisite wooden statue of Mae De Deus is a beautiful example of Goan workmanship painted in golden colour. This wooden statue was originally from the Mae De Deus Church of Daujim-Old Goa and was taken ceremoniously in a decorated boat across the Mandovi River to Betim, and in a flower bedecked bullock cart over to Pilerne. At Saligao hill, where a band struck a tune, a salvo of 21 gun shots rented the air and thousands of people raised cheers which echoed over the green hill.

Saligao cradles a population of about 5000. It is surrounded by the villages of Parra, Guirim, Sangolda, Pilerne, Candolim, Calangute and Nagoa and is in Bardez Taluka of Goa. It is 10 kms from Panjim the capital of Goa, 6kms from Mapusa the capital of Bardez Taluka, and 3 kms from the world famous Calangute beach.That charming wayside village on your way to Calangute, has at some stretches, open paddy fields and at others, coconut groves lining the narrow roads. In Saligao small typically Goan homes, are nestled close to each other surrounded by greenery and interspersed by tiny pathways that form a confusing maze. Saligao has never been the seat of any ruling dynasty; no stirring political events with far-reaching repercussions have ever taken place here. Its history records no battles, and not occupying any strategic geographical position, it has not at any point of time been of key importance in the defence of Bardez. But Saligao has an appeal distinctly its own.

Source:Goan journey

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