Casa Araujo Alvares (Loutolim)

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C A S A A R A U J O A L V A R E S

www.casaaraujoalvares.com
www.ancestralgoa.com


Casa Araujo Alvares stands testimony to 200 years of adaptation of colonialism to the main traditional structure. A wide stairway leads to a pillared portico "Balcao", where long cement seats recline in restful splendour.

The wide, crested doorway leads to a short, wide corridor replete with a mirrored hat stand and a huge glazed jar. Two such jars adorn the household and are supposed to have been imported from China with sugar.

A study combined with a general sitting room pays homage to the renowned advocate Dr. Salvador Eufemiano Araujo Alvares. A bedroom with a canopied bed, dressers and the usual assorted pieces fill a room which is continued in mode everywhere.

A wide, low beamed room akin to an attic is led up to by a huge metal door. This room has gun holes strategically placed in defence against the dacoity of the Rane clan.

A wide, but small, room houses a beautifully painted altar. Clay angels guard the carved doorway to it.

The whole household has walls in painted design - modified to accommodate the need of colour and the age in which the work was done.

The grand hall has a floor of slatted wood, carved furniture and knick knacks lining the walls. A gilded mirror and carved chandelier vie for place of pride amongst the paned windows which overlook an open, lush garden.

The stately dining room with its long dining table is flanked by buffets and walled pantries that store edibles for the table and the cutlery & crockery. An unusual sink fitted in the window still serves admirably for those who wish to avail of it.

A vast kitchen with huge firewood stoves, wide shelves and a huge store room, aside, leads to the 'Angonn' which was a very traditional little square built into the main frame. This is a small square garden which is surrounded on all four sides by the house. Fruit and vegetable trees abound here.

Flanking the kitchen, is a quaint bathroom with a niche built into the wall for firewood to be placed therein to heat the water for bath. This water was boiled in a huge copper vessel 'Tosta'. The adjoining toilet is typically goan as it used to be 'Au Naturel'. Raised platforms provided seats with outlets for the porcine livestock to clear the waste ! An oddity for sure but very common and very accepted.

The corridor adjoining the kitchen leads to a kitchen, bath, toilet and living accommodations for the hired help.

This house is open to visitors from 10.00am to 6.00pm - everday. For details contact the reception at "Ancestral Goa".