Merry Christmas to all readers.
Socorro here refers to the village in Bardez, Goa, not the town in New Mexico, USA (site of the Very Large Array).
The Church of Nossa Senhora do Socorro was built in 1763, and is ensconced in serene, picturesque surroundings. Its annual feast is celebrated every year on November 21. There are 4 altars inside, the main one dedicated to Our Lady of Socorro. Architectural highlights of the edifice are summarized below.
- Mannerist Neo-Roman, large, 5 x 3
- Sequence of Arch-Rectangle-Oculus-Niche
- Template has angels in relief at base and Franciscan insignia ‘AM’ at top
- Tri-engaged columns in façade
- Reduplicated mouldings in ground storey
- Five quatrefoil openings in 3rd storey
- Twin towers with stacked-pot finials
- Oversized bell mounted outside right tower
Photographing the main altar presented a challenge. With natural light filtering in from only one side, the illumination was asymmetric. The artificial lighting in the interior was likewise patchy. I bracketed a set of exposures with the expectation that at least one would be optimal enough to withstand post-processing work to even out the tones.
Without the superb Canon Tilt-Shift 17mm lens, single exposure takes like the first two images below would not have been possible.
The altar is beautiful.
Excellent photography, as always Mr. Rajan Parrikar.
Appreciate your contributions.
Gaspar Almeida
Associate, http://www.goa-world.com
Moderator, Gulf-Goans e-Newsletter (since 1994)
http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/gulf-goans/
Church built 1667; rebuilt & enlarged 1763
History of the Church: http://socorropp0.tripod.com/id1.html
Perhaps the statue atop the facade was installed in 1962. It is not clear when the the amendments (if any) were made to accommodate the bell-tower that have altered the symmetry near the right tower.
Arun,
The parish was first established in 1667. The church in the present form was built in the years 1763-1765. I am not sure what 1962 refers to – will find out.
The years 1667 and 1765 are on the church, along with 13-?-1962 – what do they refer to?
Gorgeous has already been used 🙁 so some synonymous superlative 🙂
Our church looks gorgeous in this photo. Just like the countryside around it anytime of the year.