In Goa, beauty lies even in the ruins

BASILICA OF BOM JESUS, OLD GOA

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the mortal remains of St Francis Xavier, the exposition of which will be held after ten years this December 2024.

FORT AGUADA, SINQUERIM

The fort is named after the Portuguese word, aguada, meaning 'Watering Place', because the site, located on the north bank of the mouth of the River Mandovi, had many natural springs that provided water to passing ships.

CHURCH OF ST AUGUSTINE, OLD GOA

Once the vault of this church collapsed in 1842, the structure soon followed. By 1871, its bell had been relocated from the tower to the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church in Panjim.

CHAPORA FORT, CHAPORA

Famously featured in the film Dil Chahta Hai, the name of this fort is said to have been derived from Shahpura, meaning 'Royal City,' since it once served as a port and trading settlement with a population of Arab traders.

REIS MAGOS FORT, VEREM

Reis Magos is said to have been named after the biblical Magi. Standing tall against time today, this fort once served as a complementary outpost to the now-extinct fort of Gaspar Dias in Miramar.

CURDI VILLAGE, SANGUEM

This disappearing village in Goa's Sanguem taluka spends most of its time underwater, but peeps out during Goa's scorching summers when all the water has dried up.

CABO DE RAMA FORT, CANACONA

The name of this fort in South Goa translates to 'Cape of Rama,' but the identity of Rama is debated between the hero of the Ramayana and another Hindu mythological character, Parashurama.

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