Although Goa is renowned for its beaches and laid back atmosphere, there’s plenty to do if you don’t want to spend every day of your break soaking up the sun on a stretch of sand fringed by palm trees. Take a trip into the state’s heritage to discover its distinctly European flavour.
Yes, that’s right, there aren’t many corners of the globe that haven’t been touched by European settlers at one time or another and in Goa, it was the Portuguese who dropped their anchors and came ashore.
One of the best places to visit to get a taste of this colonial history is Old Goa, the former capital of the state when the Portuguese controlled the region. Here are just a few of the top landmarks to explore in and around the city.
Church of Our Lady of the Rosary
The Portuguese were keen to spread Christianity to Goa and, as such, they constructed numerous churches during the centuries they spent in India. Among the oldest of these is the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, which dates back to the mid-16th century.
From the outside, the place of worship isn’t overly ornate, but once you step through the doors, you’ll notice a sharp contrast. The interior of the church is decorated in a stunning Gothic style and one of its most striking features is the main altar, which has an intricate design on it.This church is just one of a group of religious buildings that have been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Se Cathedral
Another religious landmark you’ll be hard pushed to miss is the Se Cathedral. This is the largest of the churches in Old Goa and its construction took over 100 years, finally being completed in the mid-17th century. The exterior of the building is impressive, although looks a little unbalanced as one of the bell towers collapsed in the 18th century and was never rebuilt.
The main attractions are inside, though – and some of the decor is so ornate you’ll want to spend a while examining the intricate carvings and paintings. The main altar is dedicated to St Catherine of Alexandria and has been covered in images depicting her life – it’s well worth a closer look.
Aguada Fort
Arguably one of the most famous of Goa’s landmarks, Aguada Fort is a must-visit on any stay in north Goa hotels. The imposing structure was constructed by the Portuguese on the site of an existing bastion. Its purpose was to protect Old Goa from invaders, as well as to watch over the entrance to the River Mandovi.
It’s the best-preserved example of a Portuguese fort in Goa and also the largest of the enclaves to be built by these European settlers. You’ll have fantastic views from its hilltop location, while another of its standout features is the lighthouse.
This was added in 1864 and was later modernised in the 1970s to replace the original oil lamp with more modern technology. This lighthouse is no longer in use, but there’s another working one nearby.
Interestingly, some of the fort’s buildings are still in use today and have been converted into a prison – needless to say, you can’t tour these parts of the structure!
Visiting these locations will just give you a taste of the Portuguese heritage in Goa, there’s lots more to discover if you want to travel a little further afield during your break.
Author: Ross Kelly