Casa Aruajo Alvares, Loutolim GOA: Heritage homes in Goa open for public viewing

Casa Aruajo Alvares is a 267 years old Goan-Portuguese style mansion located at Loutolim, SOUTH GOA [10km from MARGAO]

Entry fee : 100 Rs/ person

Approx time: 45 minutes

The family emblem

The family emblem placed at the entrance is enough to tell us~ this was an important family in Goa during the days of the Portuguese.

The family emblem, Casa Aruajo Alvares- Loutolim, South Goa

The balcão or porch

The outer seating area or porch called 'balcão' has an in-built seating space. This is usually an area to interact with vendors as well as gossip and casual chats with neighbors and friends.

Signs of aristocracy

Goans who had converted as Roman Catholics (Christianity) during the Portuguese rule were without a doubt encouraged to adopt a more European lifestyle. This is evident when you step inside the house~ but not quite in. Just before entering the Salas or hallroom is an outer room, and against the wall is a Rack for walking sticks and hats. Wearing a hat and holding a walking stick when going out was evidently a sign of aristocracy.

Hat rack, hats were worn also as a sign of European aristocracy

There are also single and double-seater Palanquins~ a crude means of transport of the time.

Suggested read: How goans lived during the Portuguese rule

Family chapel

Almost every goan catholic household will have an altar where the family would gather around and pray together. The more affluent on the other hand had their own private chapel. It was adequate for the family and even a mass could be held here. Do observe the intricately carved panels and chairs, and also the angels in marble. The image of St Michael the archangel is exquisitely beautiful.

The office

Eufemiano Araujo Alvares was a prominent lawyer and people from far and wide sought his assistance. As the earliest owner of this mansion, his office is beautifully preserved~ from the desk with multiple chambers, to an interesting collection of smoking pipes, Dr. Alvares was certainly a man of fine taste.

Master bedroom and Nursery

A huge 4 poster bed dominates the bedroom. Watch out for the silk mattress that was imported all the way from China. The Italian suits hanging on the coat rack reflects a sense of style and taste. The antique trunks placed on the racks look endearing. 

The Nursery is just beside the bedroom and has an interesting collection of porcelain jars from Macau, an old sewing machine, a charkha, children's toys and crib among other things.

The Bar and Distillery

Is certainly the fun part of the house. Fenny and Urak (traditional goan alcoholic drinks) were distilled in the barrels. 

The menace of bandits was predominant in Goa during olden days

Also watch out for an iron door beside the Bar. The menace of dacoits called 'Rane' was well-known during those days. They charged on horseback to rob people of their valuables. The iron door opened outside to hand over the valuables without the Ranes entering in. The family and servants on the other hand sneaked into a secret room just above. One can find small uneven gaps through which armed marksmen would look through and aim guns at the dacoits, incase of any event.

Icon prayer room

Is a quiet meditative space with hundreds of Jesus icons hanging on the walls. 

Banquet hall

The banquet hall with its 22 seater banquet table, straight back chairs and Belgium chandeliers is a picture of grandeur and elegance. One can only imagine the grand banquets that took place in this room. 

Family photos at Casa Aruajo Alvares, Loutolim South Goa

Family photos at Casa Aruajo Alvares, Loutolim South Goa

 

The walls are adorned with family photos from the first until the present sixth generation. Although we were told Maendra and Maureen Alvares the present descendants now live in Margao.

The Sitting room or Salas

The Salas or sitting-room with its wooden flooring has a quiet sitting area with space for dancing.

The Kitchen

The spacious kitchen has an assortment of Chinese Porcelain jars used for storing pickles and oils. The large back jar on the floor is for sugar. Observe the circular groove around the bottom of the jar, it was filled with water to keep ants away. Then there is a wide range of utensils in copper, brass and clay used for cooking.

Large vessels for preparing cakes, bebinca and other goan sweets. There are also noodle makers at one end and an antique refrigerator that runs on kerosene. Such a well thought of kitchen. The family had 20 staff members and 1 caretaker to run the household. 

Puja room with a collection of Ganeshas

The caretaker was apparently a Hindu, although I am more inclined to believe the owners also were looking at the Hindu symbolisms in the Rajangan.

 

Rajangan, courtyard with Hindu icons

 

Afterall goans were Hindus prior to the Portuguese conquest of 1510.

Suggested read: Goa before the Portuguese conquest

Baths and toilets

The old style bathrooms and a chulo to heat water. 

Besides a place for rudimentary farming equipment used during that time and other tools and devices. 

Thanks for reading!

This house was certainly a Step back in time. Hope you enjoyed reading this blog. Do comment and share your thoughts. Ciaõ.

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