The colors flooded me good. But it was their bonhomie that brought a spring to my feet.
As I walked through the gorgeous, winding streets of Fountainhas – the Latin Quarters in Panaji, Goa – a gentle wave of history washed over me.
While Goa had many rulers, the Portuguese had the longest one – from 1510 to 1960 – and its influence can be seen even today, very evidently at Fountainhas. A Portuguese word, it is pronounced as Fon-tane-yus and means ‘little fountain’. In existence since late 18th century, it evolved into a residential neighborhood of Protuguese administrative staff then, and of native Goan families, now.
Our storyteller, Rachna and her friends, from @makeithappen.co.in, gave us a rich and fascinating peek and I, for one, couldn’t stop taking note 😊
In pictures:
1. The quiet lanes that are replete with little messages on the ‘casa’ or the homes.
2. The patterns on the houses was an indicator of economic status. The fish-and-floral motif took skills and could be afforded by the rich. The sun-and-rays pattern was adopted by the commoner.
3. And the windows? Well, they were made of shell! For sunlight and breeze.
4. The Azulejos Tiles – the white and blue dotted ones – are a common choice for nameplates. Passed on from Spain and Portugal, who in turn, got it from the Persian belt!
5. Most houses were painted white originally. But following a directive that only places of worships shall be in white, homes got colors of red, green, blue, etc. Red was most common because it was drawn from easily available, laterite.
6. A most remarkable exhibit in the St Sebastian Chapel is the striking crucifix of Jesus. It is said that this is perhaps the only crucifix of Jesus which has his eyes open.
7. Confeitaria 31 De Janeiro is one of the oldest bakeries, holding ground since 1930 and baking goodies still.
8. The cafe is opp. Rua 31 de Janeira (31st January Road) & is named after the day when Portugal got independence from Spain on 31st Jan, 1640.
9. The UNESCO Heritage Zone declaration
10. Oh, the bougainvillea! ❤️
The laughter, the songs and the quiet hum of the times bygone are something exactly what you might be looking for. Well… whenever your heart takes you there.
SEEMITA DAS 