Fountainhas – The True Goan Heritage




Situated in the heart of Panjim, Fountainhas is a place which is still unknown to many people. Fountainhas is a small town, which was constructed about 300 years ago, it is a place where one can discover Goa and it’s true heritage during the Portuguese era. The infrastructure, the building, the houses take you back in time, where Portuguese ruled Goa.
“Fount Phix” is a fountain present in this town, and it was also because of this fountain that the town got it’s name “Fountainhas.”  The fountain, “Fount Phix” also served as the only source of fresh water for the people leaving in this area. The main places are Mala and Fountainhas. Mala had a more of Hindu population while Fountainhas had more of a catholic population. Fountainhas is one of those few places where one can actually get a feel of Goa during the Portuguese times.
Initially a Chapel was built in Fountainhas, keeping in mind the needs of the Portuguese people. One of the most interesting aspect of this Chapel is that it is one of the only chapel which conducts Portuguese Mass till date. During the Portuguese era, the feast of St. Sebastian (A saint which is considered important to the people of Portuguese) was celebrated with great pomp and splendor, with several stalls. It totally bought about a carnival look, where people came together dancing, singing and enjoying every bit of music. While nowadays the feast has a simple mass service, in Portuguese followed by a procession.
Fountainhas is a perfect place to obtain peace of mind, away from excessive traffic and horning. It is said that people lived together in peace and harmony for years all together. It is believed that the people residing in this small town want to keep this place intact and as a reason they prevented so far any kind of new construction in this area.
Speaking to one of the locals in Fountainhas, they said “We have been living here from quite a long time now, and as we are growing older and so is this place getting older. We do not receive any support from the government.”
A large number of tourists visit this area, almost every day to experience the true beauty of Goa. Though it’s a Heritage site, yet it isn’t given the official status of a Heritage site. And as a reason people don’t know much about this place. And due to improper maintenance of these heritage houses, these are truly loosing it’s charm and beauty.
 “Fount Phix” the fountain which once upon a time served as a source of fresh water, today it is a place where people carry out their routine daily work like washing clothes, bathing etc. And thus this beautiful fountain has somehow lost it’s charm. But the people residing in this area still have the hope that someday, those glorious days of Fountainhas will return back and they will be cherished for the generations to come.

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