Our Lady of Piety Church, Divar Island

Overview

The Church of Our Lady of Compassion is also known as Our Lady of Piety. This Church is located in Piedade which is located at the bottom of a small forested hill on Divar Island. The church designed by a Goan priest is known to be the first Christian structure erected here and dating from the early 18th century. The original Lady Divar Church dated from 1699 to 1724. The Church was rebuilt in impressive Indian baroque style. The exterior and the interior of the church are carved with beautiful flowers and motifs. The Church is white in color and looks heavenly. The interior features interesting stuccowork, Baroque plaster decorations and altars. There are windows which have been deeply set up in the walls of the church.

Highlights

• This Church is dedicated to Our Lady of Piety which is lies on the main alter. A huge statue of St. Francis of Assisi and the statue of Jesus on the cross which is equally huge lies in the main altar. On the both side of main altar paintings are displayed on woods depicting the life of St. Francis of Assisi.

• To the south side of the Church of Our Lady of Compassion one can see a remnant of the Kadamba era. There is a chapel enclosed in a tiny walled cemetery which is converted from the former Hindu shrine. The Ganesh temple was earlier housed here and after being demolished by the Portuguese the deity was later shifted to its present site at Candola. From this church one can see the beautiful white Churches of Old Goa. Next to this church is a park which can be visited by tourists.

• Divar Island can only be reached by one of three ferry services. A boat from Old Goa (near the Viceroy's Arch) runs to the south side of the island, while the east end of the island is connected by ferry to Naroa in Bicholim taluka. Another ferry operates to Ribandar from the southwest of the island. All ferries run every 30 minutes, from around 7am to 8pm.