ST. LAWRENCE CHAPEL - CANDOLIM
Pilgrimage
Distance (From Kadamba Bus Terminus): 14 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Aguada Fort (1.4 kms)
Trip Duration (From Aguada Fort , Including Travel): 30 Mins - 1 Hr
Place Location: Near Aguada Fort, Candolim
Transportation Options: Cab / Auto / Rental Bike
Travel Tips: This place is usually visited from Aguada Fort (1.4 kms).
At a distance of 14 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand, 40 km from Vasco Da Gama Railway Station and 16 km from Mapusa, St. Lawrence Church is situated in Candolim of North Goa.
The Chapel of St. Lawrence is located at a distance of 5 km from Candolim Beach along the Fort Aguada Road (1.4 kms). This Chapel is dedicated to St. Lawrence the Martyr or controller of winds, a patron saint of sailors. The Church was founded in 1630 by the Count of Linhares, Viceroy Dom Miguel de Noronha. The decision to build the church was taken soon after the fort was completed. The reason to build the church was so that the enemies could not get a close by outpost near the fort.
The St. Lawrence Church is also known as the Linhares Church. The church front is covered by an enormous sheltered yard and has a plain triangular peak with a solitary round window in the middle. The outline is finished with 2 thin towers behind it. The columns are brightened with engravings from the life episodes of St. Lawrence and his affliction with white bas alleviation mortar. The dome shaped church houses some wonderful structures of the risen Jesus Christ with his legion of angels. Inside the church, the main altar bears a wooden cross in the center and a statue of St. Lawrence to the right. This Church is the most important chapel among all the Goan Chapels. Palacio Ajuda a massive structure built by Jimmy Gazdar can be seen outside the chapel gate.
On the Sinquerim hill stands the Church of St Lawrence offering a pleasant view of the sea. Nobody knows the reason why this saint is associated with the sea. Someone says that probably the saint is dear to the fishermen because from the sea only two things visible are the lighthouse at Aguada and the Church of St Lawrence.
Feast of St. Lawrence is held on 10th August all over Goa. This feast celebrates the reopening of the sandbars in the Mandovi river to river traffic and the end of the monsoon. The feast day usually coincides with Narali Purnima.
Timings: 9:30 AM - 6 PM on all days.
