Tourism
of Goa
Places
to Visit
Panaji:
Panaji is one of India's smallest and most pleasant state capital. Located
on the south bank of the wide Mandovi river, it officially became the
capital of Goa in 1843. The town is worth a visit as it has a lot to offer
the new as well the old. In the oldest part of the town, the Portuguese
heritage has survived remarkably well; there are narrow winding streets, old
houses with overhanging balconies and red tiled roofs, whitewashed Churches
and numerous small bars and cafes.
Margao:
Margao is the main town of South Goa, even though rapid urbanization has
transformed Margao, and it still retains some of the Old Portuguese
grandeur. There are some of the old magnificent houses that remain well
maintained. The richly decorated Church of the Holy Spirit is worth the
visit. The main bus stand that is about 1.5 Kms away from the main town acts
as a main transport center for the people of South Goa. Margao has gained
more significance with the opening of the Konkan railway, which is the main
railway terminus at South Goa.
Mapusa:
This largest urban center of north Goa has made a mark due to the exotic
weekly bazaars that are held in these town. Every Friday people ( Goans,
tourists ) flock here to buy anything from an old brass lamp to garments, or
even have a glimpse of how trade takes place at this famous market
Ponda: The administrative
headquarters of the taluka, is situated 28kms southeast of Panaji and 17kms
northeast of Margao.The Panaji-Bangalore national highway NH4 passes through
Ponda. Its proximity to some of the state's largest iron ore mines has lead
to spring up of small factories and industrial estates on the outskirts of
the town. One of the main tourist's attractions is the Safa masjid, Goa's
best-preserved sixteen-century Muslim monument.
Forts:
Compared to Indian standards, Goan forts are very small in size.
Nonetheless, these were of immense military, political and economic
importance in a land crisscrossed by rivers and canals and bordered by sea
on the west. Where smooth passage of trade vessels was vital to economy, the
control of these forts in fact determined the economic and political fate
and stability of the rulers. Many forts built in the 16th century are
situated at vantage points on the banks or faces of the rivers and the sea,
controlling the passage of vessels.
The old monuments, now in ruins
due to neglect, disuse, vandalism and natural destruction, are a mute
testimony to the joys and sorrows, the colourful and dark events of a bygone
era. Some are awesome in sheer size like the ruins of the St. Augustine's
Tower, while others are marvellous pieces of architecture, e.g. the Gate of
the Adil Shah's Palace at Old Goa. In this module, we unravel these silent
spectators of history.
Aguada Fort:
18 kms. From Panaji and situated on a headland of the river Mandovi, this
strongest fort of Goa was built by the Portuguese in 1609-1612, to command
the entry into the river Mandovi, in order to protect Old Goa from potential
enemy attacks. A spring within the fort provided water supply to the ships
that called there, giving it the name "Aguada" (meaning 'water' in
Portuguese). On the northern side, it provides a harbour for local shipping.
The fort, at present, houses the central jail. A 19th century built
lighthouse is situated inside the fortress.
Cabo
De Rama Fort: The southern most Goan fort, it is situated about
25 kms. South of Margao and about two hours' walk from the nearest road
head. This very old fortress, now in ruins, was built before the arrival of
the Portuguese. A view from the boat offers a nostalgic experience.
Cabo Raj Niwas: Built in 1540 AD
opposite Fort Aguada on the south headland of the river Mandovi, this
fortress housed the Franciscan monastery which later (1594 AD) became the
official residence of the governor of Goa. It is an elegant mansion.
Chapora Fort: The Adil Shah of
Bijapur built this fort on the southern headland of the Chapora River. It
was known as Shapur and is now mostly ruined. It has a commanding view of
the Vagator beach and is near to Anjuna beach.
Mormugao
Fort: This fort near the internationally famous Mormugao Harbour
was built to protect the harbour situated near the Vasco da Gama town. Its
work started in 1624. It covered an area of six miles in circumference,
contained towering bulwarks, three magazines, five prisons, a chapel and
quarters for the guard. It had 53 guns and a garrison with 4 officers, and
was an important fortress on the western coast. However, except the chapel
and a portion of the boundary wall, little is left of this fort.
Teracol (Tiracol) Fort:TERACOL
(TIRACOL) FORT It was a key Portuguese fort for the defence of Goa, on the
north side of the estuary of the Tiracol river, the most northern boundary
of Goa. This fort is marked by decorative turrets and dry moat with
commanding views of the estuary and ocean. The church set in the middle of
the fortress has a classical late Goan façade. The fort presently
houses a tourist hotel. The beach is situated at the confluence of river and
sea and generally recognised for its tranquility.
The
Gate of the College of St. Paul: St. Paul, once the principal
institution of Jesuits in India for imparting knowledge on Christianity, was
built over the ruins of a mosque south of St. Cajetan's church at Old Goa in
1542. However, it was abandoned during the outbreak of plague in 1570 and
went into disuse. The Government demolished this ruining structure in 1832
to carry materials for building construction in Panaji. The only remnant of
this College is the façade in the shape of an arch with a niche at
the top and a cross crowning it. The arch that led to the College as a
gateway is built of laterite, flanked on either side by a basalt column of
the Corinthian order on raised plinth, and supported by basalt pilasters of
the Doric order.
The Gate of the
Palace of Adil Shah: The palace of Adil Shah at Old Goa was the
most prominent building with magnificent lofty staircases. It was the
residence of the Portuguese governors till 1695, and was afterwards used by
them on festive occasions. It was deserted during the epidemic in the 18th
century, was demolished in 1820 and the materials carried to Panaji for
construction of houses. Now only the gate remains which is architecturally
purely brahminical in style. Six steps in front of the gate lead to the
raised platform on which the gate stands.
The
Tower of the Church of St. Augustine: Built in 1602, the only
ruin of the Church of St. Augustine on the Holy Hill at Old Goa near the
Nunnery, is a lofty 46-metre high tower defying the torrential rains. The
tower is one of the four of St. Augustine Church that once stood there. The
Church when intact was perhaps the biggest in Goa. With the religious
suppression in 1835, the Augustinians deserted the church and the convent.
The neglect resulted in the collapse of the vault on September 8, 1842. The
façade and half of the tower fell in 1931 and some more parts of it
collapsed in 1938.
The Viceroy`s
Arch: It is one of the gates of Adil Shah's Fort at Old Goa. It
was renovated by the Portuguese and was the gateway to Goa for Portuguese
Governors. Every incoming Viceroy used to disembark at this place. The arch
was rebuilt by the Governor Francisco de Gama (1597-1600) in the memory of
his great-grandfather Vasco da Gama. It was again completely re-built in
1954.
About
Goa