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 Heavily
influenced by the Portuguese colonization period in the
1500s, Goa has a lot of wonderfully preserved
architecture which reflects this era. A number of
forts, churches and old neighborhoods 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.
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