Goa, living up to the title of ’365-day holiday’, is in the best of weathers during this time; and film lovers from all over the world are enjoying themselves this
Govind S Poteker
The newly built theatres in the famous Maquinez Palace screened ’Autumn Sonata’, a film by Academy Award winning Swedish director and writer, Ingmar Bergman. The ambiance and acoustics of the theater did justice to the settings of the film as the scintillating resonance of the piano drew the audience into the story of a pianist mother and neglected daughter.
It won’t be surprising to know that many of the people who watched this film on their journey through IFFI have wondered about the history behind Maquinez Palace which now houses two small auditoria. Well, what is now the main center of IFFI in Goa was formerly the oldest hospital and medical college in whole of Asia during the Portuguese rule in Goa.
According to Percival Noronha, historian and Secretary of the Indian Heritage Society, the history of this place goes back to the 18th century when two brothers of noble lineage, Diago da Costa Ataide e Tieve and Cristovao da Costa Ataide e Tieve, both naval officers, came to Goa from Portugal in the year 1774. They built their residence close to the present Panjim market and built a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Dolours (Grief) next to the present Media Centre. He further informed that the altar at the chapel had a magnificent crucifix with artistic images of saints. Francisco da Costa de Ataide, a descendent of Maquinezes, established daily mass in the chapel in 1780, with Father Martinho Barbosa as its first chaplain.
Noronha also mentioned that the first hospital in Goa was set up in Old Goa by Alphonso de Albuquerque, first Governor General of Portuguese Goa in 1510. The Military Hospital later started functioning at Panelim (Sao Pedro) and was subsequently shifted to Panjim due to the growing needs of the populace. It was in 1841 that Lopes de Lima, the Governor of Goa transferred the hospital to the residences of Maquinez Palace, which was taken over from their descendant Dom Joaquim de Noronha, father of Count of Mayem, in North Goa. The Southern Wing was added later in 1847 and was used for maternity patients.
All the religious artifacts from our Lady of Agonizantes in Panelim were transferred to Our Lady of Dolours. Also, the artifacts from Betim Chapel of Catechumens which had collapsed, was also transferred there. The chapel was later renamed as Our Lady of Victory. The original alter of Our Lady of Dolours is now placed in the sacristy of the chapel, informs Noronha.
Till recently, the Media Center housed the Food and Drugs Administration office. With the shifting of Goa Medical College to Bambolim, the international film festival has given this heritage building a new look and dimension.
So the next time you step into Marquinez Palace, remember…you are experiencing the privilege of standing in one of Panjim’s oldest buildings, where many events of Goa’s history have unfolded.
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