{"id":29513,"date":"2015-12-22T18:56:07","date_gmt":"2015-12-22T17:56:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/no-problem-mam.com\/?p=29513"},"modified":"2020-06-12T13:23:58","modified_gmt":"2020-06-12T11:23:58","slug":"diu-gujarat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magikindia.com\/en\/diu-gujarat\/","title":{"rendered":"Diu, former Portuguese trading post Gujarat"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Diu is a charming small town on the coast, decked with blue-and-white fronted baroque churches, reminding us that a few hundred years ago Portuguese caravels moored nearby.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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View of the Diu coast from the fort<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Diu is a former Portuguese trading post on a small island (40km2 ) just off the west coast of the Gulf of Cambay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1535 Bahadur Shah, Sultan of Gujarat, concluded a defensive alliance with the Portuguese against the Mughal emperor Humayun. He offered Diu to the Portuguese in return for their military help. The Portuguese built a fortress there and established a garrison. The Shah regretted his generosity and tried several times to reconquer Diu, but in vain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diu remained under Portuguese control from 1535 to 1961, when it was handed over to the Union of India under Nehru.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Diu city and the Portuguese fort in 1729<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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And now let’s visit Diu!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Zampa Gateway<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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The atypic gateway<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Zampa Gateway is the main entrance to the old town of Diu. <\/strong>One can’t fail to be intrigued by this gate built of astonishingly red brick. It is decorated with a statue of a priest, carved lions and tribal patterns. It even incorporates an 18th century chapel!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Diu Fort<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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The impressive fort of Diu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Diu Fort was built by the Portuguese in 1535<\/strong>, in exchange for their military assistance to the Sultan of Gujarat against the Mughal emperor Humayun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese had long wanted to land on the island to expand their trade and had already tried three times to take the island by force, without success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fort is an imposing structure on the coast of Diu Island. It enjoys a magnificent view of the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fortim do Mar<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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The Fortim do Mar fortress is shaped up in the form of a ship<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fortim do Mar also known as the Fortress of Panikota, is a former Diu Jail.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Built by the Portuguese, it is a mile within the ocean from the shore and has a light house and a small chapel dedicated to the lady of sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its structure shaped up in the form of a ship is connected to land through a mysterious tunnel inside it through its basement as an alternative during emergency exit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can be reached by boat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Saint-Paul Church<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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The elaborated facade of Saint-Paul Church<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Saint-Paul Church is located in the town of Diu. This is the largest and is most renowned church on Diu and considered one of the best examples of baroque architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was founded by the Jesuits in 1600 and rebuilt in 1807; it is still in use. The interior of the church is decorated with intricately carved wood work that is considered one of the most elaborate in any Portuguese church in India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The front elevation or facade of the church is also said to be one of the most detailed in India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The inner courtyard of Saint-Paul Church<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Saint-Thomas Church, Diu Museum<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Saint-Thomas church is situated on an elevated platform. It has been converted into a museum which houses antique statues, various stone inscriptions of the earlier rulers, wooden carvings and idols.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of the church is designed in Gothic style architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The white washed exterior of the building still bears the faded portraits and paintings of the Portuguese period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wooden carvings museum <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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St Francis of Assisi Church<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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wooden carvings and idols.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Church of St. Francis of Assisi was built in 1593, and is the first of the three churches built in Diu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Located on the hilltop overlooking a plateau, the layout plan of the church replicates similar churches built in Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has now been converted into a dispensary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Naida caves<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Outside the town walls are the Naida caves, a network of 11 caves where the Portuguese quarried stone for their buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ghogla, Jallandar & Nagoa beaches<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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The Ghogla and Jallandar and Chakratirth beaches are near the town, and quite unspoilt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nagoa beach is busier and attracts more tourists; it is mostly to this beach that Indian families come to spend the day and picnic.This beach also offers various water sports facilities like parasailing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Parasailing in Nagoa beach<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Vanakbara harbour (4km)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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\"\"<\/a>Vanakbara is absolutely worth a look. It is a lovely little fishing village with colourful boats and buzzling activity. It is best to be there in the morning when the boats returns and sells off their catch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gangeshwar Temple (3km)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Gangeshwar is an adorable sanctuary in the village of Fudam, 3km from Diu. My favourite place in Diu! <\/strong>This seaside temple to Shiva features five Shiva Lingams<\/a><\/strong> battered by the waves as if in a puja<\/em> (ritual) performed by Mother Nature herself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It is believed that these lingas were built by the five Panadava brothers of the famous epic Mahabharata.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A unique and peaceful place. A must.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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