Houses of Goa Museum

The Houses of Goa Museum at Torda, near Porvorim in Bardez, is dedicated to the architecture of traditional Goan homes. It was created by the Goan architect Gerard da Cunha and opened in 2002. The building itself is a distinctive triangular structure, often compared to a ship, sitting on a narrow plot at a road junction. Inside, the museum traces how Goan houses evolved under Hindu, Muslim and Portuguese influences. Exhibits include architectural elements such as doors, windows, balcões and pillars, along with models, drawings and photographs. The displays explain features like oyster-shell windows and the layout of grand Indo-Portuguese mansions. It is small, so a visit typically takes about an hour. It is worth the trip for anyone curious about the old houses seen across Goa's villages.