Domestic Architecture

Goa Holidays India > Goa Tourism > Domestic Architecture

With the emergence of rich landlords and businessmen in the 18^th century, Goa witnessed a wave of building activities for domestic purposes reflecting wealth, taste, status and grandeur of the elite. Borrowed Portuguese features mingled with local domestic architecture to produce a distinctive Goan style of houses.

The liberal use of ultramarine with matching colours painted an aesthetic look in the houses. Houses adapted to local climate, with stark red-tiled roofs to ward off heavy rain during the monsoon.

Christian houses generally install a cross and/or a bust of Jesus at the main entrance. Large spacious and airy reception rooms, curved inward looking windows glazed with glass or oyster shell, central courtyards, central staircase leading to verandas and balconies are prominent features. Big houses with a private chapel in case of Christian houses and a shrine for family God in Hindu houses reflect the deep religious sentiments of Goans.

Goa offers an astoundingly rich architectural heritage to visitors. The extensive excavations and preservation efforts carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India have brought to the fore and restored remnants of ages in the form of ancient sites such as caves, epigraphs, sculptures, religious places like temples, churches, mosques, ancient forts, etc. Besides, a marvelous domestic architecture presented in centuries-old houses of the aristocrats occupies a prominent place in the itinerary of the lovers of architecture.