Church of Our Lady of Piety

As compared to Daman which is a beach town, Silvassa is surrounded by lush green hills and meadows. Silvassa, which is the capital of the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli was another sleepy village until the 19th century. In the year 1885, the Portuguese decided to shift the headquarters from Dadara, changing the fate of Silvassa for good which was then converted into a town. After shifting the base from Dadara by Portuguese, Silvassa was known as Vila de Paco d’Arcos (named after the town near Lisbon – Paco d’Arcos, Oeiras). The Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of Piety was eventually built by the Portuguese in Silvassa around 1886 and 1889. The church has grey exteriors built in stone. But the stunning interiors resemble more of the European Gothic architecture and a fleeting similarity to Sagrada familia in Barcelona, designed by Antoni Gaudi.

Church of Our Lady of Piety is one of the oldest Portuguese churches standing in the region around the Church was damaged by an earthquake that shook this area back in 1912. It was closed for renovation and was again opened in June 1924. It is presently managed by the society of Pila of Silvassa.