MANSIONS Location : South of Panjim on NH 17 Mostly Clustered Around : Margao, Loutolim, Chandor Famous Mansions : Figueredo Mansion, Miranda Mansion, Salvador da Costa House What To See : Intricate architecture and design

Goa Mansions - Repertoire of Architectural Designing

A Goa Mansion

History

Monumental Heritage

Forts In Goa

People build houses with culture and mortar. History preserves them with care. And tourists behold them in amazement. This is the magic of Goan villages where time seems to have stood still. Surely for a state that was under the domain of Portuguese for 450 years, its difficult to nullify the influence. Portuguese left Goa in 1961 but still, wherever you put your eyes, you will see their inerasable mark on everything. Dotting the lush green countrysides are quaint country mansions built between the 18th and 20th centuries, where Indian and European influences met. Visit the numerous stopovers along the palm-fringed shoreline, all within 30-min drive from Margao, for special views of the quintessential Goan country mansion.

Step Inside The Ornate Interiors

The magnificence of Goan interiors can be seen in the exemplary finishes and the choicest collection of furniture, furnishings and furniture. Step inside and you will be bedazzled to see those Bavarian chandeliers that hung from the ceilings and Chinese porcelain that adorn the English furniture in Goan houses; a testimony that Goa's trade embraced several continents and a ancient placard of modern day globalisation! The intricately carved furniture that adorn these mansions are impressive too. Visit the spacious alcoves to meet those beautifully carved furniture, essentially made of rosewood or mahogany, or sometimes in teak. As for the furnishings, a pronouncedly feminine inspiration dictated the selection of lace and embriodered fabrics. You can also see silk, brocade and lace curtains fluttering in opulent windows or fringes and tassels decorating the window canopies, casting a magical spell on every visitors.

A Portuguese Mansion, Goa

The Grand Mansions

Plan a holiday trip to Loutolim and you can see dream houses with fairytale gardens sitting everywhere. Walk over to Figueredo Mansion, a perfect example of a house raised on a high plinth. The most impressive feature of this house however, is the balcao or porch, with its characteristic pyramidal tilted roof, supported on elephantine coloums which are often fluted with elaborately moulded capitals. Sit on the entrance steps - undulating parapets - where the family spends long hours of conversation in filtered light. When in this virgin patch of Goa, don't forget to visit the Miranda Mansion, built in 1710 by eminent cartoonist Mario Miranda. Feel the distinct Indian flavour in its voluminous courtyard and deep internal verandas. It is amazing to see the intricate ceilings, rich wall frescoes and the China mosaic that embellish its floors.

By the late 19th century, with practicality and functionality rather than grandeur in mind, Christians reverted to the single-storeyed courtyard house. One of the finest example of such interest is the Salvador da Costa House. Believe it, if you are an architecture student, surely you are going to get confused with this Goan-Eclectic style - a synthesis of Mannerist and Rococo elements with Maratha and Mughal features, and perhaps all sorts of building designs that were prevelant that day.

One of the must sees is obviously the Sat Burnzam Ghor in Margao. Built in 1790 by Inacio Silva from his earnings as the Viveroy's secretary, this splendid mansion is double-storeyed and displays grand facades. Look at the sprawling countrysides from the large windows of the first floor, walk over to the balcony enclosed with a cast iron railing and bent slightly to see the characteristic pyramidal roofs. Enter the grand guest's room filled with beautiful carved furniture and priceless porcelain. Don't miss the blue and white porcelain bedecking the old cupboards and family memorabilia kept on them.

Drive Your Way

Most of these alluring places of stay are clustered in and around Margao. This second largest city of Goa is located at the centre of Salcete Taluka in South Goa, 33 km south of Panjim on NH 17. You can fly upto Dabolim Airport, located at 30 km and can hire a cab to reach the downtown. Once in Margao, you can continue with NH 17 to visit these heritage places of stay.