Description
Fontainhas Heritage Walk
Experience the Fontainhas Heritage Walk, an old Latin quarter of Panjim
The Fontainhas Heritage Walk is an immersive walking tour in Goa narrating its past. Witness the Portuguese past that eventually survived the onslaught of development in the 21st century. The houses are dressed in yellow, green and blue, balconies fronted by wrought iron railings and tiled roofs transporting you to another era.
Fontainhas is not only the oldest but the largest Latin quarter of Asia. Located at the foot of the hills, Altinho hills with springs surround Fontainhas on the west side, which give it its name from Portuguese for "little fountain". The ancient creek known as the Ourem creek binds it on the east side. In the monsoons, experience the rain soaked streets in our Fontainhas Heritage Walk. The rainy season of Goa adds to the feel the special charm as one can quietly stroll through the narrow streets.
In the late eighteenth century, a Goan expatriate named Antonio Joao de Sequeira, who had made his wealth while working in Mozambique, established Fontainhas. The name came from the fountain at the foot of the hill which began to sprout around 1770. It is patterned along the lines of Lisbon’s Bairo Alto.
The people of Fontainhas lead an affluent life. Get access to heritage homes, appreciate Portuguese architecture, meet wonderful people and experience the cultural side of Goa like never before. We will take you to meet a renowned Goan musician who plays Fado and Latin music.
Highlights
– A guided tour by a friendly host / presenter.
– Breakfast / Lunch / High Tea served in a traditional Goan House
– Learn a few Goan recipes.
– Visit one the finest Baroque churches in Goa
– Insight into traditional fishing methods that are still practices.
– Visit some of the ancient temple sites.
HIGHLIGHT DISCRIPTION
HIGHLIGHT DISCRIPTION
HIGHLIGHT DISCRIPTION
Experience the incredible past of Old Goa in our Old Goa Heritage Walk
In our Old Goa Heritage Walk, explore the some of the most historically significant buildings. Old Goa is a World Heritage site housing some of most grandest and oldest churches in the region. Among these are the Basilica of Bom Jesus which houses the remains of St. Francis Xavier. The imposing Sé Cathedral, the Church of St Francis of Assisi, the Chapel of St Catherine, the Chapel of Our Lady of the Mount, the Church of Our Lady of Rosary, the Church of St Cajetan, the Chapel of St Anthony and the ruins of the Tower of St Augustine’s Church.
The Old Goa Heritage Walk revisits some of the most fascinating facts during Portuguese rule. When Old Goa was Goa’s former capital city, it was a thriving city even during prior to Portuguese times. It was the capital of the Bahmani Sultan Adil Shah empire. The Portuguese arrived here in 1510 under their commander Afonso de Albuquerque, and captured the city from Adil Shah, the ruler of the Bijapur Kingdom. They came to the East in search of trade and to eventually spread Christianity.
Under Portuguese rule Goa rapidly became a major metropolis of the 16th and 17th century rivaling London and Paris, and at its peak had a population of over 150,000 people. However, disease and decline in trade took its toll. Consequently the city rapidly deteriorated in the latter part of the 17th century. The capital was officially moved to Panjim in 1843. Eventually, the site of Old Goa was used as a quarry to build Panjim, and buildings were left to naturally decay and were eventually demolished.
Highlights
-Begin the Old Goa Heritage Walk at Viceroys Arch
-Visit the church St Cajetan
-Visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus. Notice the remains of St. Francis Xavier
-Visit the imposing Sé Cathedral, the largest church in Goa.
Begin the Old Goa Heritage Walk at Viceroys Arch
Visit the church St Cajetan
Visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus. Notice the remains of St. Francis Xavier
Visit the imposing Sé Cathedral, the largest church in Goa.
Itinerary
The walk starts outside the Archeological Museum which can be found on the left hand side as you enter the main precinct of Old Goa.
After surveying the pieces of ruined buildings displayed outside the Museum, we proceed to Old Goa’s first church, the Church of St Catherine. We then pass some remains of the Old Wall of Goa and the rear of the Archbishops Palace, before we arrive at the Viceroy’s Arch and the Church of St Cajetan.
We then trace the old main street of Old Goa, the Rua Direita to pass by the Se Cathedral and the Church of St Francis, before reaching the Basilica of Bom Jesus where the remains of St Francis Xavier are to be found.
Timing: Daily 9 am and 4pm
Duration: 2.5 hours
Meeting point: Gandhi Circle
Facts
Closest Airport: Dabolim Airport
Closest Railway Station : Karmali Railway sattion
Bus : In Panjim. The major state transport corporation buses operating in Goa are the Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) from Goa, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) from Maharashtra, and the Karnataka State Road Transport from Karnataka. All the state transport buses, usually begin and terminate at the Kadamba bus stand in Panjim.
Inclusions:
– Local English-speaking guide
– A Souvenir.
– High Tea
Exclusions
– Hotel pickup and drop-off
– Additional food and drinks
Traveler Tips:
– Please do not tip our guides (in case you wish to make an additional donation to Goa Heritage Action Group, you can speak to the guide)
– Please follow instruction and safety guideline of our guides during the tour.
– Be aware of people’s sensitivity to being photographed. Please ask first. Please take permission of the host before photographing inside the houses we visit.
– We are committed to a healthier planet. We recommend to carry reusable water bottles and avoid the use of disposable plastic bottles.
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