Fontainhas - The Latin Quarter of Panjim - Goa

Indian military took over Goa in 1961 and Overnight, our schooling has to be switched over from Portuguese medium to English medium. My father took us an admission at a well well known People's High School, at Fontainhas. One of the oldest parts of Panjim Goa. It was an English medium School. Classes used to be held in three different buildings and all of them stands still.  I spend almost eight years in this quaint quarter that is the same as it used to be in the sixties and appears  mediterranean  or European as of today.  

This beautiful area of Panjim called as Fontainhas is  often referred as the 'Latin Quarter' of Panjim.   It is bordered on the east by the Rue de Ourem, Ourem Creek and on the West by the Altinho hill. It has a completely different atmosphere from the hustle and bustle of the main Panjim city, with its Mediterranean appearance, narrow streets and overhanging balconies of the ancient  houses. Some houses along 31st January Road are in very bad condition. Some houses have been restored  to their original glories. The architecture of the houses along the road is quintessentially Portuguese. It  is beautiful not only for its architectural design, but also for its natural surroundings. 

Be it Rua De Natal or Rua 31 de Janeira, passing by Mary immaculate School, then People's High School, leading further down  from Mala to the fountain, below Maruti Temple atop the hill Altinho,  most of the houses are very old, and maintained as one of the heritage areas in Goa. With roofs of Mangalorean tiles, and the generous splash of the blue, maroon, pink, indigo on the facades of the houses they add charm to the heritage precinct. Typical Portuguese shades for the decades old structures. For the visitors, this is another Goa. Far from the beaches and very different from the Goa, that majority of the tourists come to go to beaches, surf, wine and dine. But if you need to visit the Mecca of Goa, then Visit Fontainhas, Panjim .

This Mediterranean look a like  gets its name from the famous ‘Fonte- Fenix'. Fonte meaning a fountain or the ‘Zhor' (in local Konkani) at Mala at the foot of the Marutigad. The Maruti temple atop was constructed in the year 1934 during the Portuguese rule.  The entire area was laid out on reclaimed land in the late eighteenth century by "the Mossmikar", a Goan expatriate so called because he had made his fortune in the Portuguese colony of Mozambique, who returned back to Goa and invested  in the area.

Having spent my schooling and child hood days in this precinct, I  am very much attached to this area. On Sunday's,  I like to stroll around or drive by Fontainhas, that makes me nostalgic.  Almost half  a century, the water has flown from Rua De Ourem Creek, but Nothing has changed much. Same narrow roads and same houses. Except,  that some  of the few  old houses have been  converted into lodgings and Restaurants serving Goan delicacies. You will find some English name boards hanging out on the facades of few houses. Otherwise same old Residents and the names. Mirandas, Gomes, Gonsalves etc. Some houses facing the creek are converted into art galleries and  one to two old houses demolished and converted into haphazardly constructed concrete blocks squeezing in between.

When in Goa, you can stay at  Urba Luxury service apartments, Porvorim. It is centrally located.  You can travel to North or South Goa as well from here. It is perfect for those who like to laze well into the afternoon and return late after exploring Fontainhas, Miramar or Panjim. We offer breakfast that is delightfully Goan, complete with freshly-baked Goan bread, an assortment of jams, a local preparation of potato bhaji, egg omelet  and fruit juices and tea, brewed to your satisfaction. Our in house Goan food delicacies on request are Chicken Cafreal and Vindaloo.  Visit http ://www.urbaluxury.com to book your apartment. You can stay at our ILHAS apartment for the feel of Tiswadi atmosphere of Goa and be at home away from home.