Ancestral Goa or Bigfoot Museum and Casa Alvares

Loutolim has more gems than you can imagine. If Mario Miranda's creations were its biggest export till recently, another son of the soil, Maendra Jocelino Araujo Alvares is busy putting Loutolim on the global map with his creations. A renowned artist, Maendra is credited with the famous sculpture, carved in laterite, of Saint Mirabai, an iconic devotee of Lord Krishna. To facilitate visitors to see his creation, which has won critical accolades and awards, he carved out a museum from the surrounding hill.

Today, this museum has much more and offers a peep into Goa's legends, history, culture and lifestyle. It is considered as a must-visit on many foreign dignitaries' or bureaucrats' itinerary. What’s more, its bird habitat and butterfly park captures the imagination of kids like no other. The site is locally known as the Bigfoot Cross Museum and its popularity can be guessed from the fact that Loutolim is now gradually being known as Bigfoot. So if you are at the Market Bus Terminal in Margao, simply ask for a bus to Bigfoot (instead of Loutolim)! This site has another feature—Casa Alvares or the House of the Alvares. Situated opposite, this sound and light museum is a well-maintained 250 years old property offering its visitors a unique experience.

Entry to Bigfoot (Ancestral Goa) museum is from 9 AM and 6 PM, while Casa Alvares closes half an hour earlier, by 5:30 PM. Entry tickets for Bigfoot are priced at INR 50 per adult and INR 30 for children aged between 3 to 10 years. Casa Alvares, on the other hand, charges INR 100 per adult and INR 50 for children aged between 3 to 10 years. There is an additional charge of INR 20 for videos and cameras, including mobile cameras.