Houses of Goa
| Place | Goa |
|---|---|
| State | Goa |
| Virtual Museum | No |
| Year of Establishment | 2005 |
| Museum Type | Architectural / Heritage Museum |
| National Importance Museum | Yes |
| Address | House No. 674, Near Nisha's Play School,Torda ,Salvador do Mundo, Penha de Franc, Goa 403101 |
| Visiting Time | 10:00 AM – 07:30 PM (Daily). Closed on public holidays. |
| Entry Fee | ₹100 (Standard Entry) |
Museum Introduction
Established in 1997 by the renowned architect Gerard da Cunha, the Houses of Goa museum is a unique architectural landmark located in Torda, Salvador do Mundo, near Porvorim. The museum is famously housed in a striking, ship-like triangular building situated in what is colloquially known as "Gerard's traffic island." It was designed to document and celebrate the "amalgamation of Eastern and Western architectural styles" that emerged in Goa during the Portuguese colonial period, resulting in a domestic architecture found nowhere else in the world.
General Collections
Spanning three stories connected by a central spiral staircase, the collection features scale models, architectural drawings, and authentic components salvaged from old Goan houses. Exhibits include intricately carved doors, window frames, pillars, and a vast array of Goan household artifacts. A significant portion of the gallery is dedicated to the history of the region from 1300 BC onwards, illustrated through the whimsical yet historically insightful sketches of the celebrated cartoonist Mario Miranda.
Unique Historical Collections
Machila: A rare, hand-ported carriage seating two people face-to-face, once used for travel in old Goa. Oyster Shell Windows: Displays of the iconic Goan carepa (window panes made from translucent oyster shells). Mario Miranda Gallery: A comprehensive set of sketches by the artist that provide a visual timeline of Goan social and architectural evolution. Architectural Oddities: Unique items such as wooden coat hangers that open like umbrellas and "roosters" once used as decorative roof-toppers to indicate the wealth of a household.
Additional Information
| Archaeological Survey of India | No |
|---|---|
| Notes | The museum building is an eco-friendly structure using laterite stone and cost-saving technologies. It is located near two schools also designed by da Cunha—Nisha’s Play School and Shiksha Niketan. The third floor often hosts architectural workshops and features an auditorium-like space with a collection of rare ancient lamps. |
| Artifacts | Hand-drawn maps of ancient Goa; Recreated "Tulsi Vrindavans"; Portuguese-style balcaos (porches); 19th-century ceramic tiles; Ornate iron grills and railings; Original wooden furniture including palanquins; Vintage household tools and kitchenware. |
| Highly Descriptive | Yes |
| Contact Details | +91 832 241 0711 |
| Email ID | archauto@gmail.com |