Captured by : pick 2
Once a fortress, then a Franciscan friary, this is now the official residence of the Governor of Goa. Located on a narrow cape, just 20mins from Panjim, it overlooks two of Goa's mightiest rivers, the Mandovi and Zuari, as they enter the Arabian Sea. On the site, there is a 500-year-old chapel that is open to the public. Mass is held every Sunday at 9.30am and the feast day of the Chapel coincides with Independence Day on August 15th so hundreds of people visit the Raj Bhavan to attend mass and many others line the roads selling candles and many others line the roads selling candles and flowers. Mass is held 10am on the feast day.
Just few mins from the Raj Bhawan, on the road leading to the National Institute of Oceanography, is the British Cemetery. Dating back to 1802, this neglected cemetery is the only physical reminder of the British occupation of the territory of Goa.
During the Napoleonic Wars from 1799 to 1813, the British military cemetery was built for a garrison of 10,000 men who were stationed at the fort to prevent Goa from falling into French hands. The cemetery is locked, however, you can arrange entry by calling the Directorate of Archives & Archaeology and speaking with the Director Manohar Dichholkar, Ph: (0832) 243 5321 or the Assistant Superintendent Deshpende, Ph: (0832) 22 6692. In most cases the gates can be unlocked within an hour of your call.
