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 The
Palácio do Deão Opposite Holy Cross Church,
Quepem, Goa,India. 403 705 Contact:
+91 (0)832 2664029
+91 98 2248 0342
+91 98 2317 5639
The Palácio do Deão is
situated, 14 km from Margao, on the banks of the wildly beautiful
Kushavati River in the Taluka of Quepem.
A Palatial house, it
occupies 11,000 sq ft of floor area. It is built in an unusual style of
architecture and has an interesting blend of Hindu and Portuguese
cultures.
Also outstanding are its
lush gardens that have still managed to preserve their historical
features and have, since old times, been known as the most beautiful
pleasure gardens in Goa
The gardens, with features
such as a pond, loggia, balustrades, vases, stone ornaments, and a
belvedere tell us of a complex garden, unparallel in Goa.
Quepem, part of the new
conquests was incorporated in Goa along with the territories of Ponda,
Zambaulim, Canacona, Paroda, Mulem and the Fortress of Cabo de Rama only
in 1782, in an agreement signed between the Portuguese and the Rei of
Sundem.
The Palácio do Deão was built in 1787, by a Portuguese noble man, who
was Dean of the Church and the Founder of Quepem town. The house
situated on a hillock, faces the Church he built.
He established, at his own expense, a public market, hospital, Church
and other facilities for the benefit of the inhabitants, as inscribed on
the pyramidal structure in the churchyard.
The Deão, Jose Paulo, arrived in Goa in 1779 along with the Archbishop,
Dom Frei de Santa Catarina, famously known as the barefooted friar, who
died in the Palácio do Deão and whose mortal remains are in the Church
of Quepem.
On the death of Archbishop Manuel de S. Galdino, in absence of a new
Archbishop, he governed the archdiocese from July 1831 up to 1835.
In 1829, he presented the Palácio do Deão to the Viceroys of
India-Portuguese, for their recreation, so that they may protect the
estate and institutions he had founded. . The Conde de Torres Novas
(Antonio Vasconcelos Correia) and the Conde de Sarzedas (Bernado J.de
Lorena) are some of the Viceroys who spent their holidays here.
The Deão died on the 10thJan.1835, after spending 55 years in Goa, and
is buried in the Se Cathedral in front of the altar of N. S. da Dores,
the image of which has been transferred from His Palácio do Deão to the
Se.
It has been restored and opened for the public.
With its rich history, unique architecture, art and artifacts, it is a
showcase of Goan culture and tradition depicting the lifestyle of the
past.
Visitors can enjoy Indo-Portuguese cuisine on the belvedere, overlooking
the Kushavati River.
Its extensive gardens and location on the banks of the river make it an
interesting place to observe birds and other wildlife.
HISTORY - The Deão in
Quepem
In 1787, Pe. J.P. de Almeida transferred his residence from Old Goa to
Quepem and founded a hamlet. Quepem was, in those days, covered with
forest. He ordered the planting of rice, coconut palms and other fruit
trees.
He established a public market, hospital and other facilities for the
benefit of the inhabitants.
He also founded the St. Cruz Church, at his own cost, as inscribed on
the pyramidal structure in the churchyard.
It is believed that the Deão, began by erecting two columns at the
entrance of Quepem. Thereafter, he obtained permission that criminal
offenders who entered this village across these columns to work could
rehabilitate themselves in this village which he had founded. Thus, he
was able to establish Quepem as arable, self sustaining and habitable
place.
It is not known the origin of this story, but one is able to still see
the bases of these columns at the entrance of Quepem.
He constructed in Quepem, for his occasional stay, a spacious house that
he modestly described as a ‘Farm House’. It was later, justifiably, come
to be known as the ‘Palácio Do Deão’
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