Museum of Christian Art

Museum of Christian आर्ट

The Museum of Christian Art, set up in 1994, is one of its kind in Asia, and a must see for art lovers. The museum was earlier located in Margao at Rachol but its remoteness hampered its popularity. The museum was then relocated to a more convenient location. It now stands within the convent of Santa Monica in old Goa in the company of world heritage monuments.

The museum was set up by the combined efforts of Calouste Gulbentian foundation of Portugal and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) New Delhi. Today, the museum, in terms of its collection is unparalleled. It boasts of some of the finest archetypes of the craft adorning the churches of Goa.

Among its exclusive collection is an artifact, a Pelican monstrance based on the legend that in times of famine, the mother Pelican plucks open her breast and feeds her young on her own blood. The artistic iconography explicitly suggests that the holy sacrament is the food for man's salvation. St. Francis Xavier, close to the hearts of Goans is a special theme here also on silver plaques and panels of silver casket.

The museum has a spectacular collection of gold items, precious stones and rosaries and ivory images. Jesus as shepherd with his flock of lambs in a pensive mood sitting on a caved hilltop, St. Mary Magdalene stands in the front grotto.

With all its collection and beauty, one can't surely afford to miss this museum. The museum is open seven days a week from 9:30 am to 5:00pm.

Naval Aviation Museum

Six kilometres from the port of Vasco-da-Gama is the Naval Aviation Museum. A museum that is a source of knowledge and generates a sense of respect and inspiration towards the defense forces of the country. However, probably hasn't received the kind of publicity it deserves.

The museum, set up in October 1998, stands over a plateau overlooking the vast expanses of Arabian sea and Bogmalo beach beneath.

The museum has an open air section and an in house section. The open air section displays aircrafts, twelve of them. They are the show stealers and pride of the museum. From Short Sealand to one of the longest one, the Lockhead Super Constellation are here for you to adore. There are also engines of several aircrafts used in 1960's.

Inside of the museum is painted to give you a feel as if you are entering the aircraft carrier Virat. The collection of the museum is so extensive and detailed that it ranks second in the country, just next to the naval museum in Delhi. You will see here weapons, sensors, rare photographs from the liberation movement of Goa, history of Indian Naval aviation and other naval equipments etc.

The museum has also a section called Shradhanjali (a granite slab on the wall) paying tribute to the martyrs of the motherland and adjacent to this is the heart of the museum, called the meditation hall. A serene, calm and cool place with a wall lit up by a blue painting, its called the hall of silence.

A visit to the museum can be rounded by a picnic on the near by Hollant beach two kilometers from here.

The museum is open all days except on Mondays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.