Aldona: Churches, Bridges and Islands

Aldona offers several specific points of interest for planning a trip: churches with different historical connections, the islands of Corjuem and Calvim-Ponolem, which belong to Aldona, and four bridges. The range therefore extends from church history and artworks to place names that recur in the landscape. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Aldona, you can first consider whether village and church history or the geographical connections of the islands and bridges should be your main focus.

Churches and the History of Aldona

The Franciscans established Aldona as their seventh parish in Bardez. In 1569, they began their pastoral work in Coimavaddo and built Aldona’s original village church there. Thus, the parish’s place within Bardez and a specific location and year for the start of pastoral work are presented together. Inside St. Thomas Church Aldona are symbolic murals depicting scenes from the Bible. This biblical imagery complements the historical perspective with a view of the church’s interior design.

Another church is Sao Tome Church. It was built in 1596 on a plateau beside the Mapusa River. Its construction date and location on the plateau by the river provide two specific points of reference. Compared with the start of pastoral work in Coimavaddo in 1569, 1596 is a later date; the years refer to different events. This distinction helps separate the start of pastoral work from the construction history of Sao Tome Church.

Aldona’s village square, Tinto, also offers a distinct point of interest: a statue of Edward J Soares, founder and headmaster of St. Thomas High School in Aldona, stands there. The statue connects a specific place in the village with a figure from its educational history. A clearly marked date on the calendar is October 29: the Choranchem Fest, also called Robbers feast, is celebrated annually on this day.

Islands, Bridges and Corjuem Fort

The islands of Corjuem and Calvim-Ponolem belong to Aldona. Three of the four bridges are in Corjuem, and the fourth is in Calvim. The names offer a useful guide: Corjuem appears as the name of an island, bridge locations, and the fort; Calvim refers to a bridge location, while Calvim-Ponolem is one of the islands belonging to Aldona. When planning, it is therefore helpful to pay attention to the precise place name rather than assume that recurring names refer to the same place.

Corjuem Fort is located in Corjuem, across the Mapusa River from Aldona. One historical account dates its construction to 1550 and its reconstruction by the Portuguese to 1705. The fort previously belonged to the Bhonsle rulers of Sawantwadi; during the tenure of Viceroy Caetano de Mello e Castro, it was incorporated into the Portuguese administration of Goa. This sequence traces the fort’s earlier association with the rulers, its incorporation, and its reconstruction by the Portuguese.

The fort is surrounded by Goa’s rural landscape, which is suitable for a walk or photography. If you are planning a visit, check accessibility in advance.

Discover more destinations: Codal, Sanquelim, Mandrem, Bicholim, Calangute, Bardez, Bastora, Shiroda.

For the broader travel overview: North Goa.