Old Goa: Historical Monuments

Historical Monuments in Old Goa:
Goa was under Portuguese rule for more than 600 years. The Chritian missionarie from Portugal came to India and they lives and worked in India for all these time period. Old Goa is famous for its historical monuments. The St. Francis Church and The Archeaolgical Museum in the opposite side of the Church are the main attractions in Old Goa.

The St. Francis Church is located in Old Goa, which is about 6 to 8 kms from Panaji city. The Church was bulit during the time of Portuguese. The physical body of St. Francis is kept in a glass box in the church, and visitors can see it from a distance. During the Feast Festival in December first week every year, thousands of people from all religions visit the church. The Festival is known among people as "Old Goa Feast". Every Ten years the body of St. Francis is kept open for public visit.

The Archeaological Museum on the other side of the Church, is having various painings, weapons, monumental aniques of Portuguese times. Archeaological Survey of India has done some renovation work of the buliding and the painings and sculptures in order to preserve the historical content and originality of the monuments.

The Ancient Temple in Ponda, suh as Mangueshi Temple and Mahalasa temple are very famous and attracts many devotees from India and abroad. The temple preserve the historical originality and heritage of India. The famous Singer Lata Mangeshkar was born and brought up in this place itself.