Travel anywhere in Asia as long as you like, but you will never find a living relic as rich as Goa. This little Indian state; the countrys smallest, was the last vestige of the Portuguese Empire which spanned the globe in the 16th century. The Portuguese ruled the place until 1961, and their time in the land has left lasting and unique marks in the cultural and historical tapestry of Goa. At the heart of breathtakingly beautiful beach town of Candolim, you will find one such rare gem from the bygone days of Goa; the incomparable and fascinating Calizz; a uniquely Goan museum neighbourhood located on Candolim Calangute Road.
Due to its unique atmosphere and matchless vintage beauty, the Calizz is one of the most well known tourist destinations in Candolim. True to its namesake which means Heart in the local lingo, Calizz is a place that embodies the Portuguese facet of Goas soul. It is a collection of Indo-Portuguese style buildings at the heart of a seaside estate lovingly and painstakingly converted into a museum, presently declared as a cultural heritage site. Most of the elegant old mansions at Calizz were originally built around the 19th century, and today these houses have been restored to an impressive degree which is true to their original character. Being traditional dwellings, the layout and forms of buildings at the Calizz provides a glimpse to the daily life in old Goa with all its unique customs, traditions and practises.
The museum of Calizz houses the priceless private artefact collection of one Shri Laxmikant Prabhakar Kudchadkar, putting forth an interesting blend of eastern and western cultural heritage of Goa. Elegant furniture and marvellous murals adorn the spacious halls of Calizz, adding to the magic. As the land of Calizz is spread across several acres the area is home to quite a few building that is sure to stoke the interest of the history buff, so come prepared for a rather long stay.
To visit Calizz, it helps if you book a tour early. Great
Goa hotels within a convenient distance are abundant, as well as
Goa restaurants where you can enjoy some amazing Goan cooking. If you stay at a place like The Leela Kempinski Goa, you easily get both, be pampered to your hearts content before heading off to Calizz.
