Goa is home to some of the most beautiful homes in the country. One of them surely is the 250-year-old Casa Araujo Alvares, whose magnificent doors even carry the crest of the family. The grand house even has its own chapel where the inmates of the home kneel down before the almighty. The chapel itself is a treasure trove of its own, which includes ivory figurines, an enchanting marble statue of Madonna and exquisitely carved wooden panels. One of the other highlights of the house is an image of St. Anthony which was ferried from Africa and whose miraculous powers have blessed the family inhabiting the house.Incidentally, the reason why the Alvares brothers threw the doors of their house open to members of the public, especially tourists, is because high costs of maintenance and repairs which are required to keep these centuries old structures up and fighting fit.
