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Margao Goa
MARGAO
Goa's busiest town - and its second largest - is not just the
commercial capital of the state. Some call it the Athens of Goa
and it's also known as the city of many temples. When the
Portuguese took over Margao and other parts of the 'Old
Conquest' in the mid-16th century, it is believed to have
already been a flourishing town. Hindu belief has it that Margao
was one of the early seats of Aryan settlers in Goa.
The town's name, it is suggested, came from mathagrama (village
of monasteries).
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Nuts about Cashews |
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One souvenir any visitor always
carries home from Goa is a packet or two of fine cashew
nuts, grown in abundance in the hillsides of this state.
The Portuguese first introduced cashew nuts in Goa in
the 16th century and today these nuts are exported in
millions. These delicious nuts are sold in many
varieties - plain, salted or the spicy masala flavour,
while the juice is used to produce the particularly
potent Goan liquor feni. |
Margao has served as a market for the
agriculture hinterland surrounding It. In Portuguese times, its
local markets were known as Mercado Vasco da Gama and Mercado
Afonso de Albuquerque, both named after Portuguese discoverers
and conquerors. Goa's cultural capital and commercial capital,
this South Goa city is also the second-largest (after Vasco da
Gama) by population. Margao is an important entry point by train
into Goa and has a major railway station.
Margao's Mansions
Skirted in part by the River Sal, Margao is known for its huge
Indo-Portuguese parallel, the Padre Miranda Road, the area
around the Holy Spirit Church, and St. Joaquim Road that leads
to Borda.
Margao's Holy Spirit Church Square is also known for its baroque
church. It is also lined by palatial mansions. Structures in
this area are low-rise (two floors maximum), adding to the
stately nature of the locality. Many homes have balconies (balcao
or balcoes) and verandas facing the square.
Running parallel to the Church Square is the Old Market's
commercial street. Next to the church is a landscaped area
called the Praca da Alegria (Square of Happiness). Around the
Holy Spirit Church and near Rua A bade Faria
 Margao Holy Spirit Church
Built in 1564, it was destroyed by fire and rebuilt four times.
The present church is the fifth, built in 1675. It is built in
the neo-Roman style of baroque refinement, and is very large,
having five bays and four storeys. Interesting because of its
size and setting, it is also known for its artistic
characteristics. The Church Square (Largo de Igreja) is
surrounded by large Goan homes, including the House of Seven
Gables (Sat Burnzam Ghor). Monte Hill Chapel is on a hillock
close to the Margao Holy Spirit Church. From here you get a
fantastic view of the coastline of Salcete. Monte Hill, Margao
 Rachol Seminary and Church
Seven kilometres from Margao, atop an old Muslim fort on a small
hillock, is a prominent seminary that has been training Catholic
priests for generations. Launched in 1580, it initially
consisted of a hospital and a school, apart from a college for
priests. It housed one of the early Asian printing presses. The
great hall of the seminary has Renaissance paintings of the Goan
high clergy and some Portuguese royals. A polite request could
open doors for a visit to the place. Its church, built in 1576,
is dedicated to St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit
order. Rachol Seminary, Raia
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