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Close to the important industrial town of Vasco
da Gama lies the main port of Goa, in Marmagoa. The town has some
industries and not very much else besides the highly dilapidated
ruins of a fort, and an ironic history, which classifies it as "the
town that never was". |
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A Ruined History
Well, leaving the dramatics aside, Marmagoa was the site that was
first chosen to be the capital of the Portuguese Empire. This is
why, in 1685, the construction of the fort started along with the
founding of a township. The Viceroy even moved to Marmagoa in 1703,
but the Maratha warriors (term used for Shivaji and other Hindus
originating from Maharashtra, who fought against foreign rulers)
attacked the site repeatedly, and Old Goa was made the capital
instead.
The Port Town
Thus, Marmagoa is more or less the Fatehpur Sikri of Goa, minus the
monuments, of course. But with the harbour starts another lore. The
port is one of India's finest natural harbours. If one wants to
extricate oneself from the beaches, a sunset walk around the harbour
can be a pleasant change.
Places to see
Marmagao Fort || Varca Beach ||
How to reach :
By Air
Dabolim, Goa's airport, lies on top of a rocky plateau, 4-km
southeast of Vasco da Gama.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is situated at Vasco da Gama.
By Road
Arriving by bus from Panjim or Margao, one'll be dropped off to the
situated interestate Kadamba Terminus, 3-km east of the town centre
from Vasco. From Vasco one can catch ferries to reach Margao harbour.
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