When life gives you Goa, embrace it with open arms (and also, an open mind!). When we hear the words “Goa”, we think of pristine beaches, cocktails, sunsets and sand parties. However, walk further from the beaches and parties, and you will find the old colonies of the city that bring out the Portuguese and Latin heritage of the town, from decades gone by. With an extraordinary, and multi-faceted heritage, Goa is a paradise for architecture and heritage hungry travellers. Be it Old Goa, Fort Aguada, Chandor or the very famous Fontainhas, you have a fascinating history waiting to be uncovered in each location. Here’s a sneak peak of each area and all that it has to offer for the knowledge-hungry:
Old Goa
The city’s former capital is the historical link between the pre-Portuguese era and today’s Goa. Significant buildings like the Basilica of Bom Jesus, St. Francis Xavier, Se Cathedral, Chapel of St. Catherine, Chapel of Our Lady of the Mount, Church of Our Lady of Rosary, Church of St. Catejan, and the ruins of St. Augustine’s Church, are the essence of this part of Goa. Take a walk or a guided tour and gain knowledge about the earlier times and how changes came about eventually. With your knowledge fill, your eyes will feast on splendid architecture of each site!
Distance from Casa Philomena of Velvett Homestays – 22.6KM
How to reach: 40-minute drive via private car or two-wheeler/ 2 Public Bus changes (Calangute-Dabolim Airport Route until Panaji & Panaji to Surla Narayan Temple)
Fort Aguada
If you want to really take in Portuguese architecture, take a day to explore Fort Aguada. Built in the 17th century, this combination of a fort and lighthouse together are a treat to the eyes, having braved ravages in the past and now sitting still at Sinquerim Beach. Spend an evening to take in the sunset and hear the crashing waves!
Distance from Casa Philomena of Velvett Homestays – 7 KM
How to reach: 20-minute drive via private car or two-wheeler
Fontainhas
Montreal has its French Quarter; Goa has its very own Latin Quarter! Picturesque for its heritage buildings, regularly visited for its colonies filled with cafes, and adored for its combination of colours and old-world charm, Fontainhas is flanked by an ancient creek called Ourem Creek on the eastern side and fed by the Altinho Hills with springs on the westside. Dotted by art galleries filled with visuals for your artistic soul, Fontainhas will impress you in ways that any part of Goa will not. Choose from the Institute Menses Breganza (with displays of freedom fighters from days gone by and contemporary art), the Gitanjali Gallery (with displays by local artists like Sonia Sabharwal, Francis Dsouza, Rafael Arya, etc), Kala Academy (an art institute that promotes cultural activities like dance, drama, music and literature), and the Fundacao Oriente (headquartered in Lisbon and strongly promoting cultural and artistic programs on a regular basis).
Skip the beaches and waves, and head to Fontainhas for a day – you will not be disappointed! The brightly coloured cottages in pastel colours are a visual reminder of brilliant Portuguese architecture have given the area a recognition as a UNESCO Heritage Zone. Take your bags and your cameras for a fun-filled day in Fontainhas!
Pro Tip: For the authentic music lover, Audiophile is just the place for you. A record and vinyl store with vintage turntables and a splendid collection of records across genres, you are sure to find a memento for your music collection.
Distance from Casa Philomena of Velvett Homestays – 15.5KM
How to reach: 30-minute drive via private car or two-wheeler / Public Bus until Panaji KTC Bus Stand (for example, Siolim to Panaji Route) and further 12-minute walk
Chandor
Surrounded by hills, fields and a lovely river Kushavati running through, Chandor is a quaint village 15 kilometres from Margao. Picturesque in every manner, the village showcases not just the Portuguese period but also remnants from the pre-Portuguese era. Well known for its history and heritage, the village is deemed an archaeological site; owing to a 11th century temple, a fort and a headless statue of the Nandi bull which is known to be Lord Shiva’s mode of transport. Chandor also has a number of beautiful old houses but of course, the most famous of these is the palatial Menezes Braganza Pereira house – for a complete experience. The house is more than 350 years old and is located in the heart of Chandor, near the church square. Exquisite in design, the house is still inhabited by descendants and can be visited on any day between 9AM and 5PM.
Distance from Casa Philomena of Velvett Homestays – 54 KM
How to reach: 1.5-hour drive by private car or two-wheeler / Triple Bus change (Calangute to Panaji KTC Bus Stand, from Panaji Bus Stand to Margao Bus Terminal and from Margao Bus Terminal to Guirdolim)
A ferry ride to Divar Island
Peacefully settled in the Mandovi River, the island of Divar is a haven of fascinating people and cultures for a historic fill. The island’s history dates back to a period when the area was home to a majority of Hindus. Take a short ferry ride for a fun-filled day of visiting ruins of temples and monuments of religious significance. The island and its residents are also very proactive in preserving the historic elements of the monuments and installations, which make it a very exciting day trip.
Distance from Casa Philomena of Velvett Homestays – 23 KM
How to reach: 1-hour drive via private car or two-wheeler with a ferry journey
So, while a few million visitors take to the beaches and sunsets of the coastline, you can take a backpack and a camera and stroll around the heritage neighbourhoods of Goa for a unique and yet fun-packed experience. To make your stay more serene, Velvett Homestays has created a minimalistic and yet artistic set of stay options for your next visit!
Written By Taryn Rodriques
Week 6, February ’21
