Fontainhas (Latin Quarters), Panjim, Goa - houses display a riot of colors

Old Goa houses, Panjim (Panaji), Goa, India.reamstime.com

Alphonso Guest house, Fontainhaus, Panajim, Goa. theculturetrip.com

Among the Indian states, the small coastal state of Goa on the west coast is a fine destination for tourists where they can enjoy the old world of charm of Portuguese legacy mixed with Indian hospitality. Among the various attractions there, a heritage walk through the winding narrow streets with colorful houses having distinctive architectural features, a blend of local and Portuguese, will give you a glimpse into the past Goan life. Such houses are no where found in India, nor do they find a place around the world where the Portuguese had considerable colonial influence in the past.

Tourists who have been to Goa, will never miss the UNESCO recognized Heritage Zone ''Fontainhas,'' old Latin Quarters in Panjim, Considered the greatest lures of Goa, it s a paradise for photographers, the narrow, winding vehicle free streets are lined on either side with colorful houses each one more attractive than others. They are characterized by red tiled roofs, protruding balconies with intricate railings, ornate windows and doors, and colorful paint on exterior walls. The aesthetic onslaught of matching color combination is quite inspiring. The hand-painted blue-on-white azulejos (porcelain) name plaques and carefully chosen bright contrasting colorful walls stand out apart in the living space, retaining the old world charm in Panjim. In those days and even today churches or chapels have the privilege of using white that is symbolic of purity of Virgin Mary.

These Indo-Portuguese houses bear testimony to the heyday of Portuguese colonial rule in Goa centuries ago - first Europeans to have established a colony on Western India. Quite fascinating are these Indo-Portuguese styled houses built with local know-how attractive porches that open towards the roads; dwellers there spend their leisure time either reading newspapers or engaging in casual conversation, For the gossip-mongers it is an open sesame. Tourists love heritage walks through these old streets that evoke nostalgia. For the old timers, it is a wishful thinking or overly sentimental yearning for the past period.

Homes of various hues with traditional design and fine pieces of old wooden furniture and front porches of various sizes obviously add more zest to the nostalgic elements. As for the origin of the Latin Quarters, the founder was an Indian gentleman named Antonio Joao de Sequeira who retuned to Goa after having lived in Mozambique. He was locally popular as Mosmikar (meaning a prosperous resident returning from Mozambique). He leased a large track of land and converted in to a coconut grove. The proximity of the catholic church made the people reclaim the land and start building homes in a quiet place; thus a colony grew up steadily.

Back in the colonial era between 1740s and 1840s the status conscious Portuguese divided the areas into segments. The rich with power and pelf lived in the Panjim hills, where as less affluent people were confined to the foot hills hemmed in between the hill and the small tidal creek,. When dry during low tide it used to emanate bad smell. Fontainhas and Sao Tome at the foot of the Altinho Hills (west side) in Goa was an unassuming place meant for simple folks. Here, it is said one could hear a smattering of Portuguese spoken by elderly people. No doubt the old streets bring back Goa of by-gone era during the Portuguese rule. Cobbled streets, colorful bungalows, and plenty of old fashioned eateries stand as vestiges of Portuguese culture. The style and the beautiful colorful stucco exterior paintings of the houses will baffle you and it shows the power of indigenous talents available here. .

The antique houses and villas built in the 18th century with strong Portuguese architectural elements continue to be in their original colorful stylish look with roofs in the front laid with pink or red tiles and homes painted in pale yellow, green or blue colors. During the colonial rule, as per local municipal rule, owners of houses had to paint their houses every year soon after SW monsoon, a long held tradition, I understand, still persists today.

Fontainhas, Panjim, Goa. Photo Gallery:

Fontainhaus (old Latin quarter),Panjim, Goa, India alamy.com

Fontainhas, Goa goworldtravel.com

Fontainhas quarter of Goa. in.pinterest.com

House window, Fontaihaus, Goa, India upload.wikimedia.org

Above image: A typical house window in the bairro das fontainhas. Also seen in the picture is the street name displayed on an Azulejo (Portuguese ceramic tiling work)