India - Goa - Drying peppers in front of the house

Two Indian women are using the heat and sunshine to dry chillies in front of their house. The photograph was taken near the town of Margao on the south-west coast of India, in what was formerly Goa. This region was colonised in 1510 by the Portuguese navigator Alfonso de Albuquerque, at a time when Portugal was building its global empire. Goa subsequently became the capital of Portugal’s Asian colonies. Saint Francis Xavier converted the local population in 1542, during a journey that took him as far as Japan. In 1962, Goa was occupied and annexed by India, after the government had long demanded its return from Portugal in vain. Today, Goa, together with Daman and Diu, forms the territory of Panjim, covering approximately 4,000 square kilometres. Alongside iron and manganese ore mining, the region’s vibrant economic activity includes the textile industry, fishing and spice cultivation. Although pepper was absent here during the era of the Spice Route – as it originates from the New World – it is now cultivated here, as in most tropical countries. - 1990

This striking structure, approximately 46 metres high, is the remaining bell tower of St Augustine’s Church in Old Goa (Velha Goa), India. Construction was begun in 1597 by Augustinian monks and completed in 1602. Following the expulsion of the religious orders from Goa in 1835, the complex was abandoned. The main building collapsed in 1842, whilst the tower shown here is one of the few parts to have survived. The ruins are situated on Monte Santo (Holy Hill) in Old Goa, about 10 km from Panjim. The site forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site ‘Churches and Monasteries of Goa’. – 1990

The picture shows St Augustine’s Tower in Old Goa, India. It is the most striking remnant of the once magnificent church and monastery of St Augustine. The church was completed between 1572 and 1602 by Augustinian monks. It was once one of the largest churches in Goa and indeed in the whole of Asia. Following the Portuguese government’s ban on religious orders in 1835, the monastery was abandoned and fell into disrepair. The façade and half of the tower collapsed in 1931, followed by further sections in 1938. Of the original four towers, only this single bell tower, approximately 46 metres high, remains today. The ruins form part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site ‘Churches and Monasteries of Goa’. On the right-hand side of the picture, decorated tiles (azulejos) can be seen on the remaining sections of the walls. These ornamental tiles are typical of Portuguese architecture of that period and bear witness to the former splendour of the interior. – 1990

The photograph shows historic tiles (glazed ceramic tiles) of the kind typically found in the ruins of St Augustine’s Church in Old Goa, India. These tiles feature characteristic motifs in shades of blue, yellow and ochre, bearing witness to the Portuguese influence in this region during the 17th century. The tiles are located on the remains of St Augustine’s Church, which was built around 1602. The photograph shows the tiles in a weathered state on a dark, moss-covered wall, which is typical of the ruins in the humid environment of Goa. – 1990

The Sé Cathedral of Santa Catarina, known as the Sé Cathedral, in Old Goa (Goa Velha), India. The cathedral was built between 1562 and around 1651 in the Tuscan style and is laid out in the shape of a Latin cross with three naves. It originally had two towers, but the northern bell tower collapsed in 1776 and was never rebuilt, giving the façade its current asymmetrical appearance. Its tower houses the famous ‘Golden Bell’, considered one of the largest bells in the world. Today, the cathedral forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site ‘Churches and Monasteries of Goa’. - The tree in front of the church is a columnar araucaria. A fascinating characteristic of this species is that, outside its native habitat (New Caledonia), it almost always exhibits a distinctive tilt, which is genetically determined to lean towards the equator. – 1990

A flower seller outside the Sri Manguesh Temple (also known as Shree Mangeshi Temple), located in the village of Mangeshi in Goa, about 21 km from Panaji. It is one of the most significant and most visited Hindu temples in the region. Pilgrims often buy coconuts, flowers or garlands before entering the temple. In Hindu tradition, the coconut is regarded as an ‘auspicious fruit’. Smashing the hard shell symbolises shedding the ego in order to reach the pure core within. The flowers and garlands are offered to the deity (an incarnation of Lord Shiva). The gentle laying of the flowers at the feet of the deity symbolises, ritually, the letting go of worldly desires. – 1990

The Basílica do Bom Jesus (Basilica of the Good Jesus) in Velha Goa (Old Goa). It is India’s first Basilica minor and is regarded as one of the most significant examples of Portuguese Baroque architecture in India. The foundation stone was laid in 1594, and the building was completed in 1605. The façade is made of granite and combines Corinthian, Doric and Ionic elements. Unlike many other churches in Goa, the exterior walls are not plastered, giving it its characteristic appearance of dark laterite stone. The church is world-famous as the resting place of Saint Francis Xavier. His remains lie in an ornate tomb inside. In 1986, the basilica was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. – 1990

A fishmonger at a market in the Indian town of Vasco da Gama (often simply called ‘Vasco’) in the state of Goa, sheltering from the sun under a striking red parasol. – 1990

A wonderful, lively portrait! The smile of the woman in traditional Goan dress is very warm and engaging. It is typical of Maximilien Bruggmann that he understands how to get close to his subject and capture people’s dignity and zest for life without staging the scene. – Vasco da Gama – Goa – 1990

Traditional method of drying fish at Colva Beach, Goa. The fish (often mackerel or sardines) are laid out in neat rows on nets or coconut fibre mats in the blazing sun to preserve them through evaporation. This can take several days. Once the fish are completely dried, they are packed and sold at local markets. Dried fish is an important staple food, as it can be stored for long periods without refrigeration. – 1990

On Colva Beach, south of Panaji (or Panjirn), the capital of the territory of the same name, which also includes the former Portuguese colony of Goa. The dwarf mackerel laid out here to dry in the sun are turned over by women several times a day. Dried fish is a valuable food reserve for the people living in coastal areas. – 1990

A street vendor in Panaji displaying a large quantity of apples on a traditional two-wheeled cart. Such mobile fruit carts are a common sight in Indian markets and on the streets. – Goa – 1990

A street scene in Panaji (formerly Panjim), the capital of Goa, showing several people, including women in traditional saris, walking past a building covered in advertising posters. – 1990

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