5 surprising facts about Goan history you didn’t know

History enthusiasts will find much to learn in Goa, about old aircrafts, the beginning of religion and even the written word.

Goa has long been the party destination of the world, but did you know that it has a fascinating history that endures to this day? If you are a history lover, you should visit Goa and start your odyssey by booking yourself in to The Leela Goa, the best 5 star hotel in Goa and the State’s only riverside luxury resort[1]. You will be rested and refreshed by the many charms of the hotel, and there are many offers on dining and accommodation, and history and culture tours.

When in Goa, you can also brush up on important history such as –

1 The country’s first printing press was here. The story goes that a ship sailing from Portugal to Ethiopia was carrying supplies and a printing press. The ship stopped at the port of old Goa, and some of the supplies were unloaded for a few days. Interestingly, the printing press was also offloaded at the port, and it never left! It was then taken by the Jesuits’ St Paul College which used it for printing. This was way back in the mid-1550s![2]

2 The Portuguese did not bring Christianity to Goa. Historians believe that it was the followers of Thomas the Apostle may have brought Christianity to Goa much before the Portuguese did. This can be borne out by the unique equal-armed crosses that the faith still uses, and which are found in many parts of Goa till date. However, once the Portuguese arrived, they stamped their authority on everything in the State, and wiped out this original Christian identity and all its symbols[3].

3 Asia’s largest church is here. The Se Cathedral of Old Goa is a staggering 250 feet long and 181 feet wide, and it was built in the 16th century by the Portuguese[4]. It is a beautiful white structure that seeks to portray power, wealth and dominance of the land — it was so commissioned by the Portuguese Viceroy Redondo, who was keen for the world to see Portugal’s total control of the Seas.

4 Goa has one of the world’s last three Sealand Amphibians. The Naval Aviation Museum here is home to one of the three Sealand Amphibian aircrafts in the world, with the other two being in Northern Ireland and Belgrade[5]. The tiny Goa museum also has 13 rare aircrafts, some of them dating back to the World Wars.

5 The scientific study of hypnotism happened here. It turns out that one of the pioneers of modern hypnotism was a Goan monk, Abbe Faria[6]. He preached the theory that hypnotism was extended via animal magnetism, or the ‘power of suggestion’. He was a revolutionary leader in France prior to his work in the field, and he is said to have come to the end of his life in France after suffering a stroke.

[1] https://www.theleela.com/en_us/hotels-in-goa/the-leela-goa-hotel/

[2] http://goaprintingpress.gov.in/about-us/

[3] https://www.goacity.com/v/history/

[4] http://www.goa-tourism.com/GTDC-holidays//places-to-see-goa/se-cathedral-goa.htm

[5] https://www.navalaviationmuseumgoa.com/about-museum/

[6] http://www.veenapatwardhan.com/greatgoansabbefaria17561819.html