Panaji Trip Overview
In this heritage walk, we explore the past and present of the vibrant city of Panaji which boasts of a colourful history. From a sleepy little retreat for the elite to become the capital of Goa in 1843 after the outbreak of Plague in Old Goa, Panaji has come a long way. A cultural evangelist will lead this walk through the Latin quarters of Fontainhas, Tobacco Square, the Grand Palace of Maquinezes, Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and the Mahalakshmi Temple.
Additional Info
Duration: 3 hours
Starts: Panaji, India
Trip Category: Tours & Sightseeing >> City Tours
Explore Panaji Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Panaji, Goa, India
In this heritage walk, we explore the past and present of the vibrant city of Panaji which boasts of a colourful history. From a sleepy little retreat for the elite to become the capital of Goa in 1843 after the outbreak of Plague in Old Goa, Panaji has come a long way. A cultural evangelist will lead this walk through the Latin quarters of Fontainhas, Tobacco Square, the Grand Palace of Maquinezes, Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and the Mahalakshmi Temple.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Fontainhas, Panjim India
We begin our walk from the Latin quarters of Fontainhas, the residential quarters designed for the Portuguese Bureaucrats and servants. This was one of the earliest settlements in Panaji city. The quarter has retained its heritage look with the small crowded lanes flanked by the typical bright Portuguese styled houses. Our walk takes u past a wishing well, Chapel of St. Sebastian and the Temple on the hill dedicated to lord Maruti and the Geetanjali Gallery of modern art exhibitions.
Tobacco Square
We visit the square which got its name from Tobacco trading over the river. Later this square served as the police headquarters, a customs and mint area and currently accommodates the General Post Office and the Sao Tome Chappel. We walk past bright coloured buildings set on the backdrop of the river Mandovi. We will also walk to the Mermaid Garden and statue of the world famous hypnotist Abbe Faria.
Palace of Maquinezes
Our next destination is the headquarters for the International Film Festival of India and the Entertainment Society of Goa. The Palace of Maquinezes or Palacio dos Maquinezes was built in 1702 and originally belonged to two brothers, Diago da Costa de Ataide e Tieve and Cristovam da Costa de Ataide e Tieve, known by the name of Maquinezes. In 1842, the Portuguese used the nearly 150-year old Palace to house the Goa Medical College. This grand palace has been part of many Bollywood films such as Golmaal.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Church Square, Panjim 403001 India
The Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church is often used to represent Goa in Bollywood films. The church was constructed on this hill for the sailors in the year 1541 after demolishing a temple. Later in the early 17th century it was renovated and constructed in the Baroque style of architecture. The church houses a large church bell in Goa that was brought here from the fallen monastery of Old Goa.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Shree Mahalaxmi Temple, Situated next to Mushtifund Saunthan Panaji, Dada Vaidhya Road, Altinho, Panaji, Goa 403001, India
We visit a unique temple dedicated to the goddess of wealth, Mahalakshmi. It is the only temple constructed in Goa with the permission of Portuguese after years of wanton destruction of temples. The temple board also founded one of the most eminent institutions for the spread of education in the regional languages.
Duration: 30 minutes
