Goa State Museum

Goa has always been known as the best tourist destination for some fun to break the monotony of our daily routine. Many people mistake it to be completely devoid of any culture or proper historical background of its own, since very little is known to us. But there are certain places which have enough evidence about the different cultural and historical associations of the state of Goa.

In order to preserve and consolidating the precious artifacts, antiques, historical objects and cultural mementos, the state of Goa, had come up with the plan of establishing the Goa State Museum. The museum was meant to depict or showcase the several aspects of the Goan cultural and historical background. The museum predominantly has a collection of historical artifacts which include wooden objects, bronze objects, old and rare coins, stone sculptures and other carvings, paintings, anthropological objects and manuscripts of historians.

Establishment of Goa State Museum

Located in the capital of Goa-Panjim or Panaji, the base of the Goa State Museum, was established in the year 1977, in a rented building at St. Inez in Panjim. But the current new and original complex is situated within the EDC Complex of Patto which was inaugurated in 1996 by the then President of India. Even though for a small period of time the artifacts that are displayed here were kept in the Department of Archives of Goa as per the rules laid down by the Archaeology and Museum section. The museum has almost 8000 artifacts at present which mainly showcase sculptures and artifacts associated with Jain and Hindu history and culture prevailing in Goa.

Some of the most memorable artifacts of the museum are the Hindu and Jain sculptures and the furniture of the Portuguese era, which includes two antique and unique lottery machines. Among these furniture pieces, the carved table and the chairs with a high back are the most popular, which belong to the Portuguese reign of terror in Goa. The entire complex of the Museum consists of several galleries, of which only 12 are open to public visits and some of the noteworthy galleries among them are the Christian Art Gallery, Banerji Art Gallery, Sculpture Gallery and the Printing History Gallery.

The museum, although a storehouse of several memorable artifacts, is rather situated within quite an unimpressive building. The exact location of the museum is close to the Kadamba Bus Stand of Panjim, which is about 12 kilometers away from the Dabolim Airport of Goa and only 15 kilometers from the Thivim Train Station of Goa-the nearest railway station from the museum.

Hotels near Goa State Museum

There are several hotels near the Goa State Museum making it a convenient tourist spot. Among almost 206 hotels close to the museum, the Crown Goa, the Hotel Sona Royale and the Hotel Menino Regency are the best. Apart from this there around 4 resorts, 2 villas and 1 guest house located close to the Goa State Museum.

Even though the complex of the Museum is not at all grand or impressive but its surely has some of the best artifacts representing the Goan history and culture and must be visited at least once.