During the Portuguese rule, several old houses were a blend of the Portuguese architecture and materials that were available in Goa. Even today, several such manor houses are still seen all over and are memories of the styles and grandeur of Portuguese opulence.
I remember having seen prismatic crystal chandeliers hanging mostly in the hall with the chain for lifting and lowering to light the chandelier with the match stick or a lamp if electricity supply was available or in the living rooms set in a grandiose lavish style of rose wood Portuguese furniture. Even ivory carvings adorned some of the old aristocratic houses which were finely carved known in Portuguese as marfins made in ivory. The windows were typically made of pearl oyster shells. The dining room was also provided with a rose wood dining table having Gurgurette on the table for drinking cold water. The old furniture with Portuguese in essence is a tribute to Goan carpenters who had mastered the art of wood carvings. The chairs too were wooden and had rota called rotiaçăo. Many a times the cutlery, plates, soup bowls and cupboard saucers were imported from Portugal and Macau with beautiful Chinaware. The kitchen has its own appeal with buyaos used to store dried fish, tamarind or pickles mainly of tender mangoes as also lemon and sour bimlees. The garrafăo made of thick glassware was typical item in a Goan kitchen which stored mostly Urrak Feni liquor or vinegar. Special mention has to be made here of the structure of the old Portuguese mansions in Goa which had a characteristic of Balcăo for sitting arrangement in open verandah.
The walls were made of laterite stones of mud which were considered to be slow in absorption of heat and thus maintained the temperature during the summer months. The floor was made with cow dung mixed material and updated every year. The roof tiles are called in Portuguese Telhas keeps the home cooler rather than nowadays which are made of RCC cemented terrace are most lasting but healthy. On top of house, a weather wave in the shape of a rooster would show the wind direction. At the entrance of the house, a couple of sentinel shape watchman was a characteristic of every home. The sloping and inclination of roof tiles served the water to flow quickly during monsoon.
The walls made of laterite stones would serve together with excellent materials avoiding heating of the home during summer. The old Portuguese houses were usually spacious thus allowing air circulation and maximum comforts.
It should be stressed here that the furniture in old Goan Portuguese style home would last for several years with little maintenance. Varnishing tables, chairs, recliners, beds with provision for mosquito nets were also a part of maintenance.
The Gurgurete was usually made in the form of a galo ( cock) made of earthen ware and due to capillary effect leads to natural cooling of the potable water which mostly were available at every home.
