Coba Palace

The Cabo Palace of Goa is an ancient edifice situated opposite Fort Aquada at the south headland of Mandovi River standing as a pride of this small State of India. This Palace is the location of the Franciscan monastery, which during the later periods was converted as the official residence of the Governor of Goa and still continues to be.

For many long years, this Palace was not used by anybody, although legends go with the information that the royal families have had this palatial building as their residence.

History

Cabo Palace was built in 1540 AD, the Cabo meaning Cape in Portuguese language, the Palace fortress to house the Franciscan monastery. Since 1594 AD however, this place became the official residence of the Goa Governors. When constructed originally, a small chapel was also included in the construction which was dedicated to Our Virgin Lady of the Cape (Nossa Senhora do Cabo), while the fortress served as a landmark for the sea farers of ancient times.

Although people believed that this is a Palace from ancient times, only very recently they found out a note dated 30th June 1541 mentioning a proposal to place a Franciscan priest for the Chapel, which gave a clue of the construction period.

During 1540, the eighth Governor, D. Estevao de Gama, had taken initiative for guarding the entrance of the Fort facing the Mandovi and Zuari Rivers and over a period of time The Cabo was improve to one of the best equipped and important fortresses in Goa.

Later, Viceroy D. Matias d Albuquerque (1591-97) took up rebuilding of the chapel and also constructed the monastery beside it. The monastery construction began on 5th February 1594, which was done entirely with laterite stones available at the site.

The Cabo Palace afterwards converted as the Raj Bhavan which is the official name given to the residence of the Governors of the States. Being the place to observe State Protocols, the official reception area of the Palace is of a large hall called the Darbar Hall, to hold receptions and swearing in ceremonies apart from other official occasions.

The Palace has three suites and seven double rooms for guests and also contains a Dining room with seating capacity of over 30 persons. The Offices including that of the Governor and his staff are housed in the Ground Floor.

Visitor Information

Goa Tourism

Goa is a place of tourism called the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ and also the ‘Tourist Paradise’ holding a number of western coast beaches in the Konkan belt. It is a place of architectural splendors, with its ancient temples, churches and old time residential cottages, anyone visiting Goa will have wonderful time to spend.

Goa being a City having multi-hued and distinctive lifestyle is quite different from other destinations of India, populated with people of diverse culture, is always a city of festivities and joyful events. Right from the State Capital Panaji (Panjim) located on the banks of the Mandovi River, the other illustrious locations such as Vasco, Mapusa, Margao and Ponda, every city there entertains guests with best experiences of life, with its wonderful beaches, parties and shopping arcades.

Goan cuisine tops them all, which is a blend of different influences and tastes, while the Hindu Goan food maintains its originality in spite of possible influences of the Portuguese cuisine.

Rock Cut Caves Arvalem

Nearer the Cabo palace, one can visit the Rock Cut Caves Arvalem which is otherwise referred as Pandavas Caves, based upon the folklore suggesting their stay at Goa during their period of exile. The caves belonging to the 5th and 6th Century habitation, have five sections, the middle one of which houses a ‘linga’ a representation of Lord Shiva having special importance for Hindus. A visitor to this place will further be excited with Sri Rudreshwar temple and the enthralling Arvalem Waterfalls.

Salcette

Salcette, a tehsil in South Goa District, is known for its sixty six villages, where six sections of population called Raia, Loutolim, Margao, Curtorim, Benaulim and Verna, besides Quelossim in Mormugao.

As per legends, among 96 families known as Goud Saraswat Brahmins who migrated to the Konkan region, 66 settled in Salcette, which is a wonderful location for one to see the cultural flavor of the region.

How to Reach

Goa is well connected by all the three modes of transport, air schedules to most major cities in India from its Dabolim Airport located near the port town of Vasco-da-Gama.

Goa is equally connected well with all the major towns in India by road with the National Highways NH4A, NH17 and NH17A going through its cities.

High-speed Konkan Railway operates now a daily train taking hardly around 8-9 hours for reaching Goa from Mumbai, which once involved about 24 hours travel while other trains take 10 to 12 hours for the same distance.

Mumbai and Goa was also connected by Catamaran Service by Sea, until 2004, which is presently not a regular feature.

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