Places of Interest

Dona Paula: At the place where two of Goa's famous rivers meet the Arabian Sea is the secluded bay of Dona Paula is a village named after Dona Paula de Menezes, the wife of a noble man Antonio de Souto Maior, who died as a young woman in 1682. A white pavilion stands on a rocky islet at the end of the bay.

In 1969, a sculpture “Image of India” was added by Yrza Von Leistner in memory of her friends Mr. and Mrs. Robert Knox depicting the figures of Mother India and Young India, one looking to the east and the other to the west. The platform on the highest point gives pleasant views out to the Arabian Sea and across the Port of Mormugao.

The official residence of the Governor of Goa, known as Cabo Raj Bhavan is situated on the westernmost tip of Dona Paula. Along the road leading to this place lie the ruins of the small British military cemetery built during their brief occupation of the Cabo.
Dona Paula also offers ample possibilities for water sports like Boating, water scooters, fishing etc. at the jetty point.

Aguada Fort : The fortress of Aguada, erected in 1612 encircles the entire peninsula at the southwest extremity of the Bardez Taluka of north Goa. A spring within the fort provided water supply to the ships that called there, giving it the name "Aguada" (meaning 'water' in Portuguese).

This fort was built to protect the northern shores of the Mandovi estuary from Dutch and Maratha raiders. It had 79 cannon guns strategically placed that could be fired in all directions. A 19th century built lighthouse is situated inside the fortress.
Ancestral GoaIn the village of Loutolim is Ancestral Goa, a village model designed to illustrate Goa’s traditional past. Visitors are given a guided tour illustrating interesting details of day-to-day village life.

It is a mock village featuring the fisherman’s shack, the farmers’ home, the Taverna, the landowners’ impressive house. Various interesting village activities are illustrated, from distillation of the Feni liquor from Cashew Apples in a Bhatti to the potter and the village violin master.

Of particular interest are structures like Boca de Vaca (cows mouth) spring, which supplies a community with water and the Sant Khuris (the way side holy cross), where an annual feast is celebrated.

An added attraction is a chance to see the Goan spices and fruit trees. At the top of the site is “natural harmony”, a sculpture of Sant Mirabai singing a devotional song accompanied by the musical instrument “Ektara”. A little further up is the “Bigfoot”, designed as a dance floor for wedding parties and other functions.

Viceroy’s Arch : The main road in front of the Church of St. Cajetan leads to the river Mandovi through an archway known as the Viceroy's Arch. It was built by Francisco da Gama, the great grandson of Vasco da Gama between 1597 and 1600 to commemorate the centenary of Vasco da Gama’s discovery of the sea route to India.

The arch is made of laterite except for the façade on the riverside, which is facetted with greenish granite. The façade has a niche at the top with a statue in stone of Vasco da Gama. Correspondingly, in the rear, is a statue of the St. Catherine.It is at this main gate that the outgoing Viceroy officially handed over the baton of the city to the incoming Viceroy.