For a long time, I had been thinking of writing
about Mario Miranda and his work, but some how I kept postponing it for some
reason or the other.
Now I have the perfect reason to write and that is the
historic Fort - Reis Magos in Goa .
Visited this place last month and I must say I am
really impressed. It is a perfect example of how a place can be restored with
out loosing its identity. Thanks to
Gerard da Cunha, who has done a wonderful job in bringing the place alive. In
the first instance you may get the impression that he has done nothing, and
that exactly is the highlight of the restoration – to maintain its original
identity. In his own words “old monuments
are just like corpse but unless you use a building you cannot maintain it. We
can reclaim our heritage and earn from it”
The income from the entry tickets may not be
substantial but think of the tourists that come from all over the world helping
in the economy of the state.
Old materials and old methodology of restoration
has been used to give the fort its air of authenticity.
I was also impressed by the staff present at every
point, quietly doing their work. After you buy your entry ticket, there is a
small vehicle which takes you up to the main gate (as its a steep climb)
Just before the main door of the fort there is this
banyan tree. Its interesting to read the history of the tree.
It grew as a parasite on a coconut tree, eventually
strangulating it. In 2008 the coconut tree caught fire. Without a core the
banyan tree began to buckle and collapse. It was trimmed and held with steel
ropes and a reinforced concrete column was cast in the hollow of the tree. The
tree stabilized and the stays were removed in 2010.
Just as you enter you will notice a big hole in the
roof. This was used to shoot (or throw hot oil) at the enemies who managed to
reach that point
Inside the fort, time stands still and you are
transported back by about three centuries.
I saw this canon which was mounted on carriages.
These gun carriages were copied from the original that were found in Diu fort.
This was how it used to look before restoration.
There were originally 31 canons of which 7 are now
left.
A close up of one of them shows some inscription,
probably the date of manufacture and the insignia.
Reis Magos is the Portuguese name for the three
wise men from the Bible.
The view from the top is magnificent with the
Mandovi river in the forefront.
While we were going through the place there was
this friendly parrot who was very interested in my friend’s camera.
I showed my camera to the parrot, but he did not even look at it. Nowadays even the birds know the difference between a DSLR and an ordinary camera.
On the way out one has to go down a flight of steps
(about 100+) and its real steep. Thankfully hand rails have been provided for
safety.
Coming to the best part is an exhibition in the
main hall and that brings us to one of my favourite cartoonist Mario Miranda.
More on this in part –II, meanwhile a preview of the pictures that are coming in part-II
