The cathedral is the main attraction of the main square in Old Goa and the largest church in all of Asia. The height of the facade of the church reaches 35.56 m, length - 76.2 m, width - 55.16 m.

In ancient times, a small church of St. Catherine was located on the site of the cathedral. The construction of the new temple began in 1562, commissioned by the Portuguese king Don Sebastiano (1557-1558). Later, the Count of Redondo, then ruler of the Portuguese colony, wanted to build a grandiose temple worthy of the wealth, power and fame of the Portuguese. The construction of the church continued for a long 90 years and was completely completed in 1652. The work went slowly, as the treasury of the Portuguese colony was reduced and there was not enough money to complete the church.

The church was named in honor of St. Catherine. It was built in the Portuguese-Gothic style with a Tuscan-Doric appearance and a Corinthian interior.