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The Diu Museum is one of the most popular places to visit in Diu. It is also known as the St. Thomas’s Church Museum. The museum houses a vast collection of stones, bearing the inscriptions of rulers from the past, and antiques which trace the history of Daman and Diu as an erstwhile colony of the Portuguese. The main attractions at this museum are the statues of St. Benedict and St. Thomas which were created around 400 years ago using marble and wood. The museum also has fountains and shadow clocks dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries.
Diu Museum Location
Photo: Aditya Mahar / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Diu Museum is located in the same building as St. Thomas’s Church. It is located in Diu town which belongs to the Union territory of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The museum is situated at a close distance from St. Paul’s Church. The exact Diu Museum address is St. Thomas’ Church Building, Diu, Diu Island 362520, India.
How To Reach Diu Museum
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Many modes of transport will lead you to the Diu Museum. It is accessible from a lot of significant cities in Western India.
By Air: The airports nearest to the Diu Museum are the Diu Airport and the Hirasar Airport. Both are domestic airports and are connected to important cities like Rajkot.
By Rail: The Veraval Railway Station is the closest station to Diu town. You have to cover a journey of 8 km by road to reach Diu from there.
By Road: You can take a bus to Diu from Veraval, Ahmedabad, Surat, Mumbai or Vadodara. Diu Bus Stand is at a distance of just 1.5km from the museum.
Places To Visit Around Diu Museum
There are many famous places near the St. Thomas’s Church precinct, where the Diu Museum is located.
1. St. Paul’s Church
Photo: Mohnish1208 / Wikimedia Commons
This church is located right in the vicinity of the Diu Museum and is dedicated to St. Paul of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church. Dating back to the 16th century, it exemplifies the brilliance of the Portuguese Baroque style of architecture. The key material used in its construction was limestone. St. Paul, whom this church commemorates is also called the Apostle to the Gentiles. The church’s architecture closely resembles that of the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa.
Timings: 9 AM – 9 PM
Distance From Museum: 450 m
2. INS Khukri Memorial
Photo: Swapnil.Karambelkar / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
If you want to pay tribute to the Indian Navy and its ceaseless efforts to protect the country, then this museum must be on your list. It commemorates the courageous sailors who martyred themselves for the nation during the Indo-Pak Conflict of 1971. INS Khukri was a warship that sank due to an attack by a submarine from Pakistan. It is still regarded as the only warship lost by the Indian Navy in battle. At this memorial, you get to know more about the Indian Navy. The battery-operated eco-friendly cars will take you through the memorial.
Timings: 9 AM – 10 PM
Distance From Museum: 2.2 km
3. Nagoa Beach
Photo: Sudhakar Kumawat / Wikimedia Commons
The beach derives its name from the Nagoa Village and spans across 21 km of land. You can find a lot of palm trees and Hoka trees that border this beach. It hosts around 40,000 tourists when the weather conditions are pleasant in Diu. The beach is perfect for those who like to stroll on sandy terrain by the blue waters of the sea or those who want to witness sunrise and sunset over the horizon. You can also try water sports for an adventurous experience.
Timings: 24*7
Distance From Museum: 6.4 km
4. Gangeshwar Mahadev Temple
Photo: Prateekmalviya20 / Wikimedia Commons
The temple is situated at the shore of the Arabian Sea, inside a cave which has been formed by the beach side rocks. One can see the shrines of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu right after entering the cave temple. Around five Shiva Lingas have been carved out of rocks to represent Lord Shiva. It is believed that they were consecrated by the Pandava brothers from the Mahabharata. These can be seen only during low tides and remain submerged at the time of high tides. The temple is also often locally referred to as the ‘Seashore Temple.’
Timings: 6 AM – 9 PM
Distance From Museum: 4.5 km
5. Dinosaur Park
Photo: Vijayparekh / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
If you are a fan of the Jurassic Park movies, then this place is the perfect spot for you. This park has structures representing several dinosaurs and makes for a fun-filled and thrilling experience. Apart from dinosaurs, there is a huge statue of a crab to enthral tourists. For children, there are a lot of rides, swings and slides. The park is great for taking pictures and also ensures that visitors get a splendid view of the rising and setting sun.
Timings: 24*7
Distance From Museum: 6.2 km
Where To Stay
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Hotel Prince is located at a distance of just 570 m from the Museum. It is known for having spacious and comfortable rooms as well as a restaurant serving delicious food. Hotel Ashiyana Diu is at a distance of 350 m from the Museum and offers homely food along with affordable rates of booking. Some other great options include Hotel Laabh Diu, The Grand Highness and the Palms Beach Resort.
Where To Eat
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There are several restaurants, cafés and eateries where you can have a delightful dining experience near the Museum. O Coqueiro is a restaurant offering an outdoor seating arrangement. They are known for their seafood and their specialities include Bangda Fry, Prawn Fried Rice and Portuguese Fried Prawns. Sea Café Diu is a great option for those who want to try vegetarian dishes. Their specialities include Hakka Noodles, Thalis and Chinese Bhel.
Best Time To Visit Diu Museum
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The best time to plan a trip to Diu is between October and March. During this time, the weather is breezy and stable in Diu. However, Diu Museum timings are from 9:30 AM to 9 PM, throughout the year..
Other Factors To Consider
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There are many other factors that you must keep in mind when visiting the Museum. These include your transport expenses, travel itinerary and how you conduct yourself.
Average Cost Of The Trip
A flight ticket to Diu from the nearby city of Surat may cost you around ₹2,482. A bus to Diu from cities in Gujarat or Maharashtra may cost between ₹700 to ₹800.
Tips For Travellers
- Do not touch the exhibits at the museum. A lot of effort and resources are spent in maintaining these exhibits which are about 400 years old.
- Take off your footwear before entering the St. Thomas’s Church building, where the Diu Museum is located. A lot of locals follow this tradition and tourists should adhere to the same.
- You can visit the Museum on All Saint’s Day when wooden figurines from the museum are used for a special mass.
- A lot of heritage walks conducted in Diu cover this museum in their itinerary. You can sign up for one of these for an immersive experience.
- The visitors can click Diu Museum photos as photography is allowed on the premises.
The Diu Museum radiates spirituality and devotion among tourists who come to Diu. You can connect with the rich history of Daman and Diu at this museum. Apart from this, Diu is perfect for those who are looking for peace and a complete rejuvenation of the soul. If you are looking forward to such an enriching experience, then do not forget to plan your trip to Diu with TripXL.
Cover Photo: Viraat Kothare / Wikimedia Commons
