Old Goa: The History Lovers Group organised ‘Old Goa Heritage Walk’ on Sunday May 28.

A lot of people visit Old Goa as a historic place but do not know the real history behind the place.

Sanjeev Sardesai, a noted Goan heritage conveyor and a TV host, guided the entire heritage walk at Old Goa. The trip started at the Adil Shah fort ruins, followed by St Catherine Chapel which was built on orders of Afonso de Albuquerque when the Portuguese won Old Goa from the Adil Shahi.

A detailed briefing was given by Sardesai on the mill stones which have been kept on a display at Old Goa. St Francis of Asisi Church was also covered in the heritage walk, where participants were told a brief history of the Golden Bell, altars, architecture, artistic carvings, paintings and many more historic mysteries.

Sardesai also presented a brief history on the ‘Viceroy’s Arch’. He said that the Arch was built by Francisco Da Gama in memory of his great grandfather Vasco Da Gama. The Arch is well restored by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI).

St Cajetan Cathedral was well covered in the trip as many hidden historic mysteries were revealed to the participants. The trip ended with a brief history of Basilica of Bom Jesus covering all the area within.

Overall, the heritage walk was well organised with a good participation of Goan youth. The History Lovers Group will be organising many such heritage trips to take Goan history to every Goan.

Team TNV