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Heavily
influenced by the Portuguese
colonisation period in the 1500s, Goa
has a lot of wonderfully preserved
architecture which reflects this era. A
number of forts, churches and old
neighbourhoods are what give Goa its
cultural depth. The beach and sea, of
course, provide the natural attractions,
and when put together, this town
provides a rare blend of culture and
outdoor recreation.
Church of Saint Francis of Assisi
More a piece of art than a church, this
17th century masterpiece is one of Old
Goa’s real gems. The octagonal
tabernacle has richly ornate interior
decorations, with gilded woodwork,
ancient murals showing the life and
events surrounding Saint Francis, and
even a whole floor made from old
gravestones.
Fort Cabo da Rama
Right on the coast of Goa, this
important fort was built up by
successive rulers until the Portuguese
finally took control of it in 1763.
Although the fort itself has fallen into
decay of sorts, the hilltop complex
offers some of the very best views of
Goa and the headland in the entire area,
making a trip here worthwhile.
Mary Immaculate Conception Church
Located in Panjim, the real beauty of
this church emerges after dark, when the
entire structure is lit up with electric
lights that turn the church into a
surreal glowing spectre. It is said that
this church’s bell is the second largest
in the world.
Old Goa
About 9kms east of Panjim is the
historic centre of the city and UNESCO
World Heritage site, known as Old Goa.
This charming, traditional part of town
is a great place to explore the many
cathedrals and churches that the
Portuguese built during their reign. A
few of the truly classic old buildings
have been converted into cultural and
historic museums that are run by the
Archaeological Survey of India.
Panjim (Panaji)
Besides being the capital of Goa, Panjim
itself is a lovely little town along the
banks of the Mandovi river. The town has
done an excellent job preserving its
Portuguese heritage, and visitors can
wander the narrow winding lanes and
admire the old houses with their
overhanging balconies. A number of
pleasant cafés and bars can be found in
this district, where the signs still
have Portuguese language written on the
shop signs. Check out Azad Maidan square
and 18th June road for some the town’s
best scenes.
Ponda (Antruz Mahal)
A number of important Hindu temples are
located in this district of Goa, along
with the Safa Masjid mosque from 1560.
This is a special part of Goa if you are
interested in seeing the unique Hindu
and Islamic temples of the region,
because this is the only part of Goa
where the original ancient temples
weren’t destroyed by the Portuguese when
they arrived.
Vasco Da Gama
To see the modern, cosmopolitan side of
Goa, head over to Vasco, a chic city on
the tip of the Mormugao peninsula along
the mouth of the Zuari river. Offering a
distinctly different feel from districts
like Old Goa, this is the place to come
to see another side to the popular
tourist haunt of Goa. |
