Goa
museum
Archeological
Museum
Portrait
of Vasco da Gama, Goa
Museum, Goa Tourism
ld Goa, 9 km from Panaji,
was once the centre
of Portuguese dominion
on the west coast of
India. Here one can
see fortress walls and
administrative buildings,
monasteries and impressive
churches, especially
the Basilica de Born
Jesus which contains
the mortal remains ofSaini
Francis Xavier. The
Archaeological Museum,
housed in an abandoned
convent of St. Francis
of Assisi, displays
objects that recreate
the history of Goa.
On display areantiquities
from Hindu period, sculptureof
Hindu deities, for examplean
Uma-Mahesha, and many
satiand hero stones.The
large coin collection
displays coin issued
by various rulers, Hindu,
Muslim and Portuguese.
The
paintings include portraits
of Vasco da Gama, the
Portuguese explorer
reached India in 1498,
and Alfonsu Albuquerque,
the founder, and other
governors, all clad
in the prevailing European
fashions of the day.
Museum
of Goa Daman & Diu
The
Museum of Goa concentrates
on archaeological and
archival material. Consequently
the sculpture collection
displays antiquities
from the various Hindu
dynasties that once
ruled Goa. Also on view
are important inscriptions
and manuscripts, coins
and textiles. The furniture,
art objects, especially
ivory statues, pertain
to Christian-Portuguese
influences.
Institute
Menezes Braganza
On
view at the Institute
Menezes Braganza are
stone sculpture, bronzes
and terracotta artefacts.
There are coins, stamps
and paintings which
include drawings and
etchings
Goa
State Museum
In
1973 Archeology &
Museum unit was set
up in the Department
of Archives in Goa and
thereafter a small Museum
was opened for public
on 29th Sept 1977 in
a rented building at
St. Inez. After construction
of the present building
the museum was shifted
to this new museum complex
at Patto which was inaugurated
by the President of
India on 18th June 1996
The
Naval Aviation Museum
The
first naval museum in
Asia was inaugurated
at Dabolim, Vasco in
1998 and opened for
public from the 19th
Oct 1998. The museum
showcases the history
of Indian Naval Aviation,
various aircrafts, weapons,
sensors, safety equipment,
rare photographs depicting
Goa's liberation and
artifacts (also spelt
as artefacts).
A
multimedia games section
is an added attraction.
Situated in the picturesque
backdrop of the Bogmalo
beach, the museum has
become a must-visit
place for all tourists.
The
Big Foot Art Gallery
At Loutelim
The
Big Foot Art Gallery
& Handicrafts Centre,
Loutulim offers local
artifacts (also spelt
as artefacts) and handicrafts
to visitors who come
to have a glimpse of
Ancestral Goa.
Conceived
as a means to promoting
amateur artisanship
in all its form, the
Big Foot Art Gallery
is one place that has
played host to artists
of State and National
fame.
Exhibits / Collection
The gallery organizes
shows that last up to
three days. It works
as a center of exhibition
of art produced at the
Artist's Camps. The
gallery also exhibits
work done by school
children at the "on
the spot" poster
and drawing competition,
which are an annual
feature.
Craftsmanship
in artifacts and allied
subjects has also been
displayed at the gallery.
The gallery housed at
the exit of Ancestral
Goa. Flanked on the
side by the handicraft
center, the gallery
is easily accessible
to visitors to the exhibits.
Besides the entire project
this place is a focal
point for the many guests
as it is always hosting
exhibitions that, free
of costs are open to
the public.
Museum
of Christian Art
The
Museum of Christian
Art, set up in 1994,
is one of its kind in
Asia, and a must see
for art lovers. The
museum was earlier located
in Margao at Rachol
but its remoteness hampered
its popularity. The
museum was then relocated
to a more convenient
location. It now stands
within the convent of
Santa Monica in old
Goa in the company of
world heritage monuments.
The
museum was set up by
the combined efforts
of Calouste Gulbentian
foundation of Portugal
and the Indian National
Trust for Art and Cultural
Heritage (INTACH) New
Delhi. Today, the museum,
in terms of its collection
is unparalleled. It
boasts of some of the
finest archetypes of
the craft adorning the
churches of Goa.
Among
its exclusive collection
is an artifact, a Pelican
monstrance based on
the legend that in times
of famine, the mother
Pelican plucks open
her breast and feeds
her young on her own
blood. The artistic
iconography explicitly
suggests that the holy
sacrament is the food
for man's salvation.
St. Francis Xavier,
close to the hearts
of Goans is a special
theme here also on silver
plaques and panels of
silver casket.
The
museum has a spectacular
collection of gold items,
precious stones and
rosaries and ivory images.
Jesus as shepherd with
his flock of lambs in
a pensive mood sitting
on a caved hilltop,
St. Mary Magdalene stands
in the front grotto.
With
all its collection and
beauty, one can't surely
afford to miss this
museum. The museum is
open seven days a week
from 9:30 am to 5:00pm. |
