Last Updated on September 24, 2026 by admin
Click here to read my latest post on Goa about Divar Island and here for post about Purple Martini and Hosa .
As I said in my previous post about Divar Island in Goa, there is more to Goa than Beaches, Shacks and Super luxury hotels along the beach..
As we continue on our Trail of Secret and Hidden Treasures of Goa our next stop is the Mae De Deus church in Saligao. Mae De Deus means Mother of God
Now Saligao is just 10-15 minutes drive away from the c/c/b (Candolim / Calangute/ Baga ) belt of north goa which is the haunt of most tourists but very few people actually end up going to Saligao because there are no “known” tourist attractions there. It could be on a different planet for all practical purposes from the usual haunts of north goa.
Mae de Deus Church, Saligao
Nestled in the picturesque countryside of Saligao village in Bardez, the Mae de Deus Church rises like a fairytale castle against the Goan landscape. With its Gothic spires and pristine white walls, this stunning structure is considered one of the finest examples of Neo-Gothic architecture in Goa. Built in 1873, this architectural marvel has been captivating visitors for over 150 years with its dramatic silhouette and spiritual significance. What makes this church truly extraordinary is not just its striking exterior but the sacred treasure it houses within. The church contains a miraculous statue of Mae de Deus (Mother of God) brought from the ruins of the convent at Old Goa. This exquisitely gold-painted wooden statue has a fascinating journey of its own, having survived centuries before finding its permanent home in Saligao, where it continues to draw devotees seeking blessings and miracles.
The church is attractively illuminated at night, transforming it into a glowing beacon visible from afar—a sight that has become synonymous with Saligao itself. Whether you’re drawn by faith, fascinated by history, or simply seeking architectural beauty, the Mae de Deus Church offers a glimpse into Goa’s rich Portuguese-Catholic heritage set against the tranquil backdrop of village life.
I was supposed to meet someone outside the church and we were supposed to go to Chapora fort from there so I found the church and was waiting outside on the bench.
It was around 3 pm and some sort of service seemed to be going on, the sound of the chorus wafting out from the church was mesmerizing. I wanted to go inside to see the church, to listen to the angelic music but it was as if I was transfixed to the ground. To this day I wish I had stepped inside. In the end I settled for taking a short video and some pictures with my cellphone.
This is the video which I took standing there..
You can read about the origin and the History of the church here.
Entrance to the church grounds
Seven churches to visit in Goa
If Mae de Deus has made you curious about Goa’s church heritage, these seven stops make a rewarding wider circuit. Check service times and visitor etiquette before entering active places of worship.
Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa — the landmark Jesuit basilica associated with the tomb of St. Francis Xavier and the UNESCO-listed Old Goa church complex.
Sé Cathedral, Old Goa — an immense cathedral famed for its vaulted interior and the historic Golden Bell.
Church of St. Francis of Assisi — admire its Manueline-influenced entrance, painted interiors and the adjoining convent museum.
St. Cajetan’s Church — a 17th-century church whose Corinthian design was inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.- Our Lady of the Rosary Church — a quiet early church on Holy Hill with broad views towards the Mandovi and Old Goa.
- Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Panaji — the whitewashed hilltop church above the capital’s central square, especially atmospheric at dusk.
Reis Magos Church — a 16th-century Bardez church overlooking the Mandovi, easily paired with Reis Magos Fort.
Wandering Through Saligao Village
Saligao is truly a typical goan village with lots of greenery and Portuguese style houses
Figueiredo Mansion, Loutolim
The next stop on Hidden Trails of Goa is the Figueiredo House in sleepy village of Loutolim which is around 40 kms away from calangute and will take you around 90 minutes by car.
What is this Figueiredo House ? Who lives here? why travel from North Goa to South Goa for this ?
The Podiars were powerful Saraswat Brahmins ( a caste in India ) who relocated from their native Sancoale
( South Goa ) in the 16th century, due to an outbreak of bubonic plague.
One part of the family settled in Shiroda ( in North Goa ), while the other moved to Loutulim and embraced Christianity, taking the surname Figueiredo.
- The founder of the Loutulim branch was Manuel Vicente de Figueiredo. His descendant Vicente João de Figueiredo, a lawyer, built the new part of the house in the eighteenth century. His descendent, also Vicente João de Figueiredo, was a Lawyer, Judge in Ponda, a businessman and a member of The Portuguese Legislative Assembly.
- Georgina Natália Filomena de Figueiredo, his daughter, practised law in Bombay and became the 1st Lady Judge of India. She returned to Goa by her father’s request to run the house and Estate, and became a Member of the Legislative Assembly in Goa.
- Maria de Lourdes Figueiredo de Albuquerque, the youngest daughter and now the owner, became the first – and youngest – lady Member of Portuguese Parliament. She returned to Goa after 60 years abroad to maintain this house and to open it as a Museum in 2010.
- Maria de Fátima Figueiredo de Albuquerque, her daughter, has also returned to Goa after decades abroad as an international executive, and has helped restore the house to its original splendour.
- The family also counts a number of diplomats, ambassadors and administrators amongst their ranks. In the 19th century their prestige was such that the King of Portugal granted them a coat of arms.
The mansion also serves as a Homestay now with a few rooms and you can stay there or even just have lunch there with prior appointment
Unfortunately, photography is not allowed inside the main museum of the mansion and while I took a tour a private tour of the historical treasures , I could not take any pictures inside. Below are some of the pictures of the parts that they allowed me to Photograph.
Seven heritage houses and museums to visit in Goa
Figueiredo Mansion is one of Goa’s great private houses. These seven additional places broaden the picture with family mansions, architectural collections, art, aviation and Christian heritage. Confirm opening days and pre-book private houses where required.
Menezes Braganza House, Chandor — a grand 17th-century mansion with two family wings, antique furniture and a vivid sense of old Chandor.
Casa Araujo Alvares, Loutolim — an interactive ancestral home where rooms, objects and audio-visual displays recreate Goan domestic life.
Houses of Goa Museum, Porvorim — architect Gerard de Cunha’s ship-shaped museum explaining Goan house forms, materials, balconies and decorative details.
Goa State Museum, Panaji — a strong introduction to the state’s sculpture, Christian art, coins, manuscripts, furniture and freedom-struggle history.
Museum of Christian Art, Old Goa — a beautifully curated collection of Goan Christian sculpture, paintings and liturgical objects.
Archaeological Museum and Portrait Gallery, Old Goa — portraits, sculptures, inscriptions and fragments that add historical context to the surrounding church complex.
Naval Aviation Museum, Vasco da Gama — aircraft, naval equipment and wartime stories in a compact museum overlooking the coast at Bogmalo.
Those yellow things you see between the green metal are fish scales which have been used to make a partition at the Figueiredo Mansion
You can learn more about the house at its website here and also book your homestay or lunch.
Time of India has a very nice article on the 85 year old Lourdes Filomena Figueiredo de Albuquerque
Continue Exploring Goa
This is the third part of my Goa in the Rains series. Start with Goa in the Rains – Part 1 and continue with Piedade Village on Divar Island – Part 2.
For another perspective on old Portuguese Goa, I also recommend Trikal, Shyam Benegal’s film about a Portuguese family in Goa. You can watch it here with English subtitles:
Five Hindi films that capture Goa
If Trikal has put you in the mood for more stories shaped by Goa, these Hindi films offer very different versions of the state: romance, family drama, old neighbourhoods and an irreverent beach escape.
- Saagar (1985) — Rishi Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia and Kamal Haasan lead this romance set amid Goa’s fishing community. Its love triangle unfolds around the coast, boats and village life, with Goa giving the film much of its emotional atmosphere.
- Khamoshi: The Musical (1996) — A young singer grows up with deaf parents in a Goan Catholic home and falls in love with a musician. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s debut balances family conflict, music and the texture of a closely knit Goan neighbourhood.
- Josh (2000) — In a fictional Goan coastal town, rival gangs collide as a romance develops across the divide. Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai feature in a stylised story of loyalty, family and local turf wars.
- Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004) — A cheerful romantic comedy in which two men compete for the attention of a young woman living in Goa. The beaches, colourful homes and holiday energy are woven into its breezy comic setup.
- Go Goa Gone (2013) — This offbeat horror comedy follows three friends whose Goa party trip descends into a zombie outbreak. It plays with the state’s club and beach culture while keeping the tone knowingly absurd.
Plan more of Goa
This heritage route works best as a full day with Old Goa or a slower South Goa afternoon; contact the mansion directly before visiting or planning lunch. For a practical first-time overview of North versus South Goa, where to stay, how to get around, a realistic itinerary and more food ideas, see my Goa Travel Guide.
