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All India Panaji Institute Menezes Braganza
AO Edited

Institute Menezes Braganza

The entrance hall of this old cultural institute is decorated with Azulejo artwork depicting Vasco da Gama’s journey to India.

Panaji, India

Added By
Vivek Gadre
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  Vivek Gadre / Atlas Obscura User
A bust of Luis de Menezes Braganza stands in the centre of the entrance hall, surrounded by the Azulejo artwork.   Vivek Gadre / Atlas Obscura User
  Vivek Gadre / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Institute Menezes Braganza is a cultural institute located in Panaji, the capital of Goa. It was established in 1871 during the Portuguese Era under the name Institute Vasco da Gama. In 1963, it was renamed Institute Menezes Braganza after Luis de Menezes Braganza, a Goan freedom fighter. The building honor's him, with a bust of his likeness standing in the centre of the entrance hall, surrounded by Azulejo artwork.

Azulejos are traditional Spanish and later Portuguese tin-glazed ceramic tile work. The five painted panels surrounding the freedom fighter were done by Portuguese painter Jorge Colaco. Allegedly, the tiles were painted in Lisbon and then shipped to Goa, making the institute the only place in India adorned with the artwork of Jorge Colaco.

The panels reflect the traditional style, painted in blue and white with gold borders. They depict scenes from the Portuguese epic poem "Os Lusiadas" written by the Portuguese poet Luis Vaz de Camoes. The poem describes Vasco da Gama’s voyage and the discovery of the sea route to India.

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Architecture Busts Paintings

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Institute Menezes Braganza is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

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Added By

Vivek Gadre

Published

March 5, 2025

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Sources
  • https://www.thegoan.net/global-goenkar/enduring-legacy-of-portuguese-heritage/116814.html
  • https://www.navhindtimes.in/2021/02/20/magazines/zest/institute-menezes-braganza-hall-witness-to-history/
  • https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/rhapsody-in-blue-a-poetic-history-on-tiles/articleshow/56839021.cms
  • https://www.joinpaperplanes.com/the-azulejos-in-panajis-former-central-library/
Institute Menezes Braganza
Panaji, 403001
India
15.500596, 73.825267

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