Panjim's Latin Quarters

Between 1830 and 1839, when plague threatened to destroy Old Goa, the Portuguese residents decided to move to Nova Goa. They settled around a natural spring, and called their new home Fontainhas. 

Street in the Latin Quarter 

The Latin Quarters are bound by the Altinho hill to the west and the Ourem creek to the east and tucked away from the bustle of the main city. The latin quarter is a town within a town, with it's own unique character and is in many ways a replica of a small town in the Iberian peninsula.

It's narrow streets are fringed with houses painted in myriad colours, reminiscent of the old Portuguese times.  Pristine white altars, and deep verandas with overhanging ivy and oyster shell windows, re create an era long forgotten - one that Panjim city has left behind, but that Fontainhas still clings on to.

Sao Tome stands guard at the entrance to Fontainhas, facing the Mandovi river. Other notable buildings in the area include the former state mint house, town pillory building (where prisoners were hanged until 1843) and city post office (former tobacco house).  Fontainhas is said to take its name from the fountain of Fenix spring, near the Maruti temple.

Sao Tome Chapel 

Sao Sabastiao Chapel, at the southern end of the Fontainhas,  was built in 1592 and served as a court of Inquisition. The chapel houses a rare statue of Jesus on the cross, with eyes wide open.

Sao Sabastiao Chapel 

Boca da Vaca spring, Fontainhas