Mill Stones of Gun Powder Factory

Tucked away in the historic landscape of Old Goa, the Mill Stones of the Gun Powder Factory at Panelim stand as testament to the region's rich and complex colonial past. These massive, ancient millstones, each weighing between two to six tons and measuring up to 2.5 meters in diameter, were meticulously imported from Belgium by the Portuguese in the 17th century. As you approach the site, the rusted hues and weathered textures of these stones evoke a sense of timelessness, their calcium-rich basalt a stark contrast to the locally sourced basalt used in other structures. The air is thick with the history of gunpowder production, a crucial element in the Portuguese quest for supremacy in Asia. Here, amidst the whispers of a bygone era, you can almost hear the grinding of saltpeter, sulphur, and charcoal, blending into the explosive legacy that once defined this place.