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Siolim - one of Goa's most enchanting villages
Easy escape to Goa's prettiest beaches
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The village of Siolim is situated to the extreme North-West point of the taluka
of Bardez, on the left bank of the Chapora river. Siolim is also the last
'bourgeois' village in the north of Goa. After crossing the Chapora with the
ferry the villages are simpler, more rustic.
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Siolim also provides the quickest escape to the unspoilt northern
beaches, including Morjim, Mandrem and Arambol. It is very easy to
get to Siolim, which is only 10 minutes from Mapuca and about 30 from
Panjim. If you are familiar with Goa, you can find a map on
this site showing where it is exactly.
The total population of Siolim is around 12,000, over two communidades - Siolim
and Marna. It is surrounded by water and the forests of Marna. Siolim is
situated about 10 kms north of Calagute, and 3 kms from Anjuna, just beyond the
Siolim range after Vagator. This distance allows it to escape entirely from the
tourism-led development of the hotels holiday homes and new constructions of
the Calangute area while remaining close enough to benefit from restaurants and
action of the Goa Resorts of Candolim, Baga, Anjuna and Vagator.
Siolim was one of the earliest places to come under the domination of the
Portugese. In fact the first church in Siolim was built as early as 1568, and
was only the fifth church built by the missionaries of the Society of
St. Francis of Assisi in Bardez. The first one was that of Reis-Magos built on
the right bank of the Mandovi, and thereafter those of Candolim, Nagoa,
Salvador do Mundo.
Siolim claim to fame is however its church, St. Antony's. The people believe
that the church was the site for two miracles. Of these, the second miracle
which occured in 1600 AD is of great importance for the people of Goa, as it
documented as having been witnessed by a large part of the population of the
village.
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Would like to stay but.... can't afford to. Bid for your stay and pay whats right for you on our Silent Auction
Siolim House was a finalist for the 2001
UNESCO Asia Pacific heritage awards for conservation, and one of a few from
India
Restoration of Old Goa's last remaining palace dating from 1585 is now over, see it on www.solargoa.in
Article in Harpers&Queen (UK) - "Six
Pack - Legends - Eleanor Southall on hotels that have seen a
thing or two", one of 6 hotels in the world, and the only Goa
hotel
High Life - British Airways - another
surprise nomination (for us) in India's top 10 historic hotels
- especially since we are not really a Goa hotel! See this and
other reviews
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