Museums in Goa
Goa indeed boasts of a past more colorful than most other cities in India. The Portugese connection, a traditional Hindu past before that and the British colonialism- all these factors contribute to make Goa an archeologists delight, the tourists' paradise and the historian's cup of tea.
Museums in Goa
The Archeological Museum- the archeological museum is housed in the abandoned building of what used to be the convent of St. Francis of Assisi. The museum displays objects that recreate the history of Goa.
On display are antiquities from Hindu period, sculptures of Hindu deities, coins issued by various rulers, Hindu, Muslim and Portuguese. The Uma-Mahesha, and many sati and hero stones are quite famous.
The paintings include portraits of Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer who first discovered the sea route to India in 1498, and Alfonsu Albuquerque, the founder, of Goa and other governors, all clad in the European fashions of their day. The museum remains open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The museum is closed on Mondays and public holidays.
Museum of Goa Daman and Diu- the Museum of Goa Daman and Diu concentrates on archaeological and archival material. The museum has a rich sculpture collection that displays antiquities from the various Hindu dynasties that once ruled Goa. You can also see here important inscriptions and manuscripts, coins and textiles. The furniture, art objects, especially ivory statues, on display relate to the Christian-Portuguese influences. The museum remains open from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm to 5.30 pm. Closed on Sundays and public holidays.
