Home Is Where The Heritage Is

Behind the veil of modernity and assimilation, lie remnants of Goa’s Portuguese heritage—in the large, once opulent mansions of some of the most illustrious families of the sunshine state.

- Hoshner Reporter

The room stretched on endlessly. On either side were rows of immense, floor to ceiling French windows from which the sun filtered in, illuminating delicate Belgian glass chandeliers that hung from the high ceilings. The centre of the room was dominated by a series of carved rosewood tables, each topped with antique vases and other curios that would not be out of place in an old European palace. All along the bright green walls were showcases, packed with all sorts of silverware and china as well as massive wooden trucks with intricate inlaid mother of pearl designs.

I was gaping at a pair of large urns, at their delicate blue and white Oriental designs, the kind one might expect to find in a museum, and wondered idly how much each would weigh.

“Those are over 200 years old, but see, the colour has still not faded.” I was broken from my reverie by a soft but firm voice. At the end of the room stood a lady with frizzy snowwhite hair, dressed in a simple chequered dress and a string of pearls around her neck, the kind my grandmother or the Queen might wear. “I am Maria de Lourdes Figueiredo de Albuquerque,” she introduced herself with a warm smile. “Welcome to my home.”