Viva damão!

Let’s begin by exploring the heritage sites of Damão Grande (Big Daman) first.

You come face to face with the formidable south walls of the fort, with the Sea Gate somewhere in the middle.

But before that, let’s take a small detour and visit a structure that looks like a miniature fort—just outside the western walls of the fort. 

Welcome to the Gafaria!

Gafaria is Portuguese for leprosarium, an early modern Portuguese facility, constructed outside the city walls to quarantine and care for lepers.

My mother had told me about this place I had found so enchanting as a child that I used to refer to it as “The Little Fort.”

She said that the inmates had certain timings to go out, but they always had to wear a small bell around their necks, which tinkled as they walked, warning people to keep away from them.