Museums & Art Galleries

Goa Sun, Sand, Sea....

Museums and art galleries are the treasure troves of incredibly rich cultural heritage of Goa. The collections at various museums and art galleries offer a glimpse of a glorious past. Religious, historical, social and economic developments of Goa since ancient times are carefully preserved here from destruction. We invite you to a tour of some famous Goan museums and art galleries.

THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM & PORTRAIT GALLERY - OLD GOA
Established in 1964 in the abandoned convent of St. Francis of Assisi adjacent to Se Cathedral at Old Goa, this museum is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. This two-story building has a very rich collection and is a treasure trove of Goan history. Its collections include prehistoric tools; sculptures from Hindu temples in Goa which shows Chalukyan and Hoysala influences etc; and hero and sati stones of the early and late medieval periods; stone Vetal images from the animists cult which flourished in this part of India centuries ago; portraits, coins and currency, revenue and court fee stamps, wooden and bronze sculptures and armory of the Portuguese period. Moreover a model of a Portuguese carvel, minus the rigging.

Timings: 1000 hours to 1700 hours (without lunch break). Closed on Fridays. 

THE ARCHIVES MUSEUM OF GOA - PANAJI
The Museum of Goa is housed at a new Building at the Patto Plaze near the ourem creek, Panaji. It exhibits ancient epigraphs, stone sculptures, bronze panels, wooden panels, miniature paintings, old manuscripts etc. The sections include Ancient History and Sculptures; Geology, Coins and manuscripts; Anthropology and Western Art. It is proposed to expand it into eight galleries by adding Picture Gallery, Agriculture, Forestry and Natural History.

Goa State Museum, Patto, Panaji. 

Timings: 0930 hours to 1300 hours and 1400 hours to 1730 hours. Closed on Saturday, Sunday & Public Holiday.

THE MUSEUM OF CHRISTIAN ART - RACHOL
About 7 km from Margao eastwards is the Rachol seminary. Asia's first exclusive Museum of Christian Art was opened at Rachol seminary, in Salcete Taluka on 24th January 1994. Its main attraction, the Christian art museum is the only one in South Asia, which was set up by the Indian National Trust for Architecture and Cultural Heritage and the Gulbenkian Foundation of Portugal. Sacred art objects of Christian traditions prepared by local Hindu artists are major attractions. The collection is an accumulation of artefacts from Goa's dozens of churches and chapels, private collections and donations.

Timings: 0930 hours to 1700 hours. The museum remains closed on Mondays. 

THE NAVAL AVIATION MUSEUM - VASCO
The first naval museum in Asia was inaugurated at Dabolim, Vasco in 1998 and opened for public from the 19th Oct 1998. The museum showcases the history of Indian Naval Aviation, various aircrafts, weapons, sensors, safety equipment, rare photographs depicting Goa's liberation and artefacts. A multimedia games section is an added attraction. Situated in the picturesque backdrop of the Bogmalo beach, the museum has become a must-visit place for all tourists.

The museum is open on all days from Timings are 10.00 hrs to 16.00 hrs. A nominal admission fee is charged. For details, contact: Officer-in-Charge, Naval Aviation Museum, Bogmalo Road, Dabolim, GOA - 403 801. 

KALA ACADEMY - PANAJI
D.Bandodkar Marg, Campal.

Center of Goa's Art and Culture. Plays, Drama, 'Tiatro' and art exhibitions are held here. Charles Correa the internationally acclaimed Architect and son of the soil design  the centre.

RENAISSANCE
Across the road from Kala Academy between the Quaint houses and tree lined streets of Campal is situated in the Rebello Mansion. The first floor has been converted to the Art Gallery and an Emporium for an Handicrafts. for time to time exhibitions of pottery, paintings and Sculpture are held. It has small cafe for visitors.

THE BIG FOOT ART GALLERY – LOUTOLIM
The Big Foot Art Gallery & Handicrafts Centre, Loutulim offers local artefacts and handicrafts to visitors who come to have a glimpse of Ancestral Goa. 

GOAN ART GALLERY- CALANGUTE
It run by a popular German Rudolf and his goan wife, Yvonne. The Place is a must to visit for art-lovers wanting to buy classic paintings. More information is available at their website where you can browse and order online beautiful paintings exhibited by Goa's top artists.


KERKAR ART COMPLEX - GAURAVADDO
It belongs to the Kerkar family Artists. This is the only art gallery of its kind on this beach strip. The gallery stocks a wide variety of art, as well as arts and crafts done by local artistes. Concerts of Indian classical music and dance are held on Tuesdays and Saturdays.


COCOON ART GALLERY
This is situated near Milky Way, Calangute. This shop has some art pieces along with clothes, jewellery.

FLYING DUTCHMAN
Cobravaddo, Baga Road.

Institute of fine art and art gallery owned by Jan F. Schoonbeek. Local and International artists exhibit their work here. The gallery open from 10:00 am  to 2:00 pm and from 4:00 pm onwards.