Margoa - Second most important city of Goa

This second most important sity of Goa was a major religious and educational centre, well known for its numerous wealthy temples. But its glorious heritage was destroyed when the portuguese took over the area into their ‘Novas Conquistas’ during the 17th century. The portuguese influence can still be seen in its imposing old mansions, which are considered to be the finest examples of Portuguese architecture in entire Goa. The city is also a shoppers delight and the weekly Friday fairs held here are very intresting and popular.


Church of the Holy Spirit: The church at old Market Square was built in 1675 and is considered to be the finest examples of Baroque archtecture in India.

Largo de Igreja or Main Church Square: Some of the grandest Portuguese mansions built in Spanish and Colonial architecture can be seen here. These are noted for spacious terraces, patios and red tiled sloping roofs.

Damodar Temple: Famous for the Dindi Festival.

Reaching there

Airport: Dabolim
Railhead: Margoa
Road: Margoa lies on NH 17 and is 33 Kms from Panaji.

Around Margoa:
Loutulim (9 Kms): This peaceful village is a fine place to explore the Gaon countryside. Some Grand old houses built in Gaon country house archtecture are noteworthy.

Ancestral Goa (Big Foot) : This center for art, culture, and environment has a mock village setup amidst eco friendly surroundinngs to illustrate a cross-section of Gaon village life as it wass a hundred years ago. It exhibits Goa’s lifestyle and heritage as well as daily vilage activities and folk culture. Local artefacts and handicrafts are avaialble at the handicraft centre and art gallery. The legend of Big Foot is narrated here, which says that if you place your foot on the rock embedded foot print, with a pure heart, the lady luck will smile at you. A 14*5 metre sculpture of saint poetess mira bai playing her ektara is quite intresting. It is the countrys longest laterite monolithic sculpture and was sculpted Greco-Roman style.


Chandor (13 Kms): This small village is noted for its spledit villas, farmhouses and shady tree-lined lanes. It is also the site of ancient Chandrapur, the capital of Kadamba dynasty.