Heritage Houses
- Arabo Desai Mansion, Arabo
- House of Abe Faria, Candolim
- Casa dos Proença, Calangute
- Solar Dos Colacos, Ribandar
- Solar Souto Maior, Ribandar
- Dempo Nivas, Calpapur
- Kundaikar House, Kundai
- Suryarao Sardesai House, Savoi Verem
- Pai Raikar House, Savoi Verem
- Dada Vaidya House, Keri
- Mhamai Kamat House, Bandora
- Gaunekar house, Bandora
- Miranda House, Loutolim
- Sat Burzam Ghor
- Sawardekar Wada, Sanvordem
Heritage Structures
- Mapusa Municipal Council
- Mapusa Municipal Market
- Civil and Criminal Court, Altinho, Mapusa
- Bardez Comunidade Administration Office
- Old GMC, Ribandar
- Vasco Municipal Office
- Salcete Comunidade Administration Office
- Old Market, Margao
- Margao Municipal Office
Palaces
Deshprabhu Palace, Pernem
The 400-year-old Rauraje Deshprabhu Royal Palace located in Pernem in north Goa was given the title of ‘Visconde de Pernem’ (Viscount of Pernem) by the Portuguese rulers as the Deshprabhu family had successfully managed to protect the northern borders of the territory then conquered by the former. The sprawling two-storeyed structure is an architectural marvel. Bookended by lawns and a watch tower on each side, the palace houses a vast library, a private museum, a collection of ceremonial swords and
vintage cars, and palanquins among several other artefacts. The chairs found here have carvings of cherubs on their backrests. Pieces from the excavations from Harappa and Mohen-jo-Daro as well as some coins of the Kadamba rulers are among the many possessions of the family. It is believed that the first telephone in Goa—back in 1902—belonged to the Deshprabhu family.
Adilshah’s Summer Palace, Panaji
Built over 500 years ago by the Mughal ruler Yusuf Adil Shah of Bijapur to serve as his summer retreat, the Palacio Idalcao (commonly known as the Adil Shah Palace) stands right at the Mandovi riverfront in Panjim, and has been a prelire political seat over the centuries. During the reign of the Portuguese, it was converted into a temporary rest house for the governors of the territory, and later to serve as the Viceroy’s place of residence. It was also the first customs post, as the cargo arriving aboard foreign vessels
would be checked here. Thereafter, the palace was the Secretariat for the state. During the early 20th century, the premises were used to house government offices such as those of the Attorney General and the Captain of Ports. One of the oldest surviving structures in Goa, the Adil Shah Palace is a robust building with a tiled sloping roof, lengthy verandahs with wooden flooring, and coats of arms in carved stone dotting the façade. In more recent times, it has served as a state museum and houses a few government offices.
Archbishop’s Palace, Panaji
Located close to the official residence of the chief minister in Altino, the Bishop’s Palace is a grand, imposing building with large gardens and a statue of Jesus Christ standing tall in the centre. Today, it is known as the Archbishop’s House—or the Paco Patriarcal—home to the offices of the Archdiocese of Goa as well as the residence of the Archbishop of Goa. The building has high ceilings, wooden floors and antique furniture. The first floor houses a ‘throne room’, where the portraits of all the archbishops of Goa are displayed. The adjacent chapel is open to the public to attend mass on Sundays.
Raj Bhavan (Palacio de Cabo), Dona Paula
Located in Dona Paula, Tiswadi, the Palacio do Cabo—now known as Raj Bhavan, or the official residence of the Governor of Goa—comprises a palace and a fort. It stands at the confluence of three water bodies—the Mandovi River, the Zuari River and the Arabian Sea. It was constructed by the Portuguese during the 16th-17th century, with the fort serving as a protective guard for the entrance to the Goa harbour. While nothing remains of the old citadel, the buildings were used to accommodate the archbishop and, later,
the Portuguese governor of the state of Goa. At the tip of the palace stands the Nossa Senhora do Cabo (Our Lady of the Cape), a small church founded in 1541 CE, the feast of which is marked every year on 15 August. A two-storeyed structure, the palace is considered to be the oldest residence for a governor in all of India. While the ground floor has the office and residence of the governor, the first floor consists of a durbar hall, a central kitchen and additional guest suites.
Palácio do Deão, Quepem
Built by Portuguese nobleman Jose Paulo – also considered the founder of the town of Quepem – in the 18th century, the Palacio do Deao (or Dean’s Palace) overlooks the Kushavati River and a church, also constructed by Paulo. Today, the mansion, spanning 11,000 square metres, is owned by Reuben and Celia Vasco da Gama, and has been painstakingly restored and salvaged from ruin. The rooms contain a variety of artefacts and collectibles including stamps, coins, old photographs, and a palanquin too. The house is open to visitors, who can also get a taste of traditional Goan-Portuguese food upon prior notice.
