Old Goa. Open left menu old goa india old goa

There will be a very small post about old Goa. I don't think there's anything particularly interesting there. Went there just to check in. I was bored and lazy. Where I dropped off the bus, I snorted there and back to Arambol. In general, we were those amoebas in Goa. They were only ready not to do anything for days on end, but in the evening to swim out of their hole into the center of life, which, by the way, I will also write about later.

So first a little history. Old goa before was the capital of the conquered by the Portuguese Goa. It was founded around 1500 and the population was more than in Lisbon. Over time, due to the Inquisition and epidemics (and two infections got here), the glory of the past majestic city subsided. The capital was moved to Panaji. By the way, it is very close, literally half an hour by bus.

In general, the town is really interesting. There are small nice houses, narrow, Portuguese-type streets, on which two buses will not pass, and boats go along the river. Generally nice. But I was staring at all this from the bus window.

When I got off at the right stop, I didn’t see any streets or houses, but only a few sellers of some sweets and churches ... and again churches. Right, left, front, back on the mountain, etc. Well, it’s beautiful, but no matter how much I don’t like sights, I’d rather see the life of the natives. But there was no desire to go anywhere in the terrible heat, two and a half hours of travel with three transfers had already shaken my physical and moral condition. Therefore, stupidly pochapala in the direction where all the tourists crowded :(

The first on the way is the Basilica of the Infant Jesus. It was built in the classical style of the Roman Catholic Church.

Upon closer inspection, it is quite impressive.

To be honest, I was in the Catholic Cathedral for the first time.

It's a pity that the mood then was so-so, otherwise maybe I would have checked out the beautiful halls.

Confession booth, just the same as seen before only in films.

The relics of St. Francis, thanks to whom Christianity came to Indian soil.

Altars and some other things for worship, which I do not know about, because I am so far from all these Catholic details.

Some confused corridors with paintings and furniture. In the paintings, which amused, all the saints were completely exclusively people with clearly expressed features of the inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula.

My sickness towards secret doors and steps manifested itself here as well. I tried to go up somewhere, but there it turned out, of course, everything was closed.

The inner courtyard of the basilica, of course, touches. Very so cozy, green and soulful.

There is still a way out somewhere, but the guards did not let us in. They weren't even allowed to point the camera at the door.

There is a cross a little to the side of the basilica, which, in fact, is not surprising :)

Just cross the road...

And we see Sé de Santa Catarina. This church is considered the largest in Old Goa. LP claims that it was built in the Portuguese-Gothic style. Perhaps the Portuguese mean something else by Gothic, but it doesn’t remind me a bit of it even remotely.

The interior decoration is striking in luxury. Here I liked it more.

In addition, it was much cooler, such a joy in the midst of the heat to get to the saving shadow hall.

Without an altar, of course, the church also could not do.

Directly opposite the entrance is a statue of Jesus Christ (well, it seemed to me that it was him).

By the way, judging by the name of the cathedral, which I just learned from LP, the altar is dedicated to some kind of Saint Catherine. There I thought it was the Virgin Mary, because here, in Orthodox Church, the rest of the saints are not worshiped like that. Of course, there are Nicholas and Michael and others, but still mostly the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. For Catholics, for some reason, everyone who kind of behaved well during his lifetime is embedded in the saints. Of course, I don’t laugh at the feelings of this religion, but ... there’s some kind of catch here, as if, in a word, it’s the same as selling indulgences, they say God has forgiven you all your sins or burn all women who have menstruation, they say they are from this witch. Sorry, but a perversion.

Right next to (I would say in the same building, but the entrance is from the other side) with the Church of Catherine is the convent of St. Francis. But not that Francis, whose relics lie across the road (there is Xavier), but another, Assisi, originally from Italy. I didn’t go into details, where should I go, I already expressed my opinion about the holy Catholics above.

It was not possible to go there, there was some kind of repair. On the street only saw something similar to a cannon.

Apparently the cannon is on the eve of the Archaeological Museum, which is also located in the same building.

Literally in the backyard of this building is a small chapel of St. Catherine.

The walls are completely empty inside and nothing else. There is a really nice terrace.

OK it's all over Now. Nothing special. Too bad we didn't get to go for more walks. We went back to the road and jumped into the first bus we saw.

Useful information about Old Goa

Well, now I’ll add some usefulness to the story for travelers who ever decide to get there.

Map of Old Goa

Pay attention to how many cathedrals, churches, basilicas and chapels are in the area. I advise you to visit more than I went around, they are all completely different and, for sure, no less beautiful.

How to get there by bus

I'll tell you more about how to get by bus from North Goa. In my case, there was a road from Arambol. From Vagator, Chapora, Anjuna, etc. the path will be basically the same.

1. First we go by bus to Mapsa (Mapusa), the capital of North Goa. The fare costs 8-15 rupees depending on the remoteness of your beach. From Arambol of. the price as of spring 2008 and spring 2009 was 12 rupees.

2. In Mapsa we take a bus to Panajim (Panaji), the capital of the state of Goa. Find the bus at the same station you got off at. There are shouting calls. A ticket to the capital costs 8 rupees.

3. In Panjim, go left to the square where the buses stand towards the south and ask for Old Goa, you will be shown. There is only one bus station, but depending on the direction, the buses are clustered in different places. Remember that you need to go a little to the left. The fare is 7 rupees. Drive about half an hour. Buses are not packed unless on weekends or holidays. The stop, where to get off, people or the conductor will indicate to you, just warn in advance so that they tell you.

That seems to be all :) Ask questions, if anything, do not be shy;)

Old Goa is one of the attractions of the Indian resort state, today excursions are taken to this archaeological reserve (the link is the most TOP excursions) and they come on their own.

It is advisable to allocate a whole day for sightseeing, but if there is not enough time, everything can be seen for several hours. By visiting this place, you can see how grandiose the presence of the Portuguese was on Indian soil.

Most of the temples and churches of Old Goa are under the protection of UNESCO, but despite such a high status, visiting them is absolutely free.

History of Old Goa

The history of Old Goa is closely connected with the history of the state and the Portuguese, who had their own interests in these lands. Shortly before the arrival of the Portuguese, all of Goa was part of the Bijapur Sultanate, ruled by the Adil Shah dynasty. Already during the reign of Sultan Yusuf Adil Shah, Old Goa was successful shopping mall. But the Portuguese decided to change the course of history and in 1510, General Afonso de Albuquerque recaptured the state from Sultan Yusuf Adil Shah.

Around the same time, the role and influence of Christians in Goa increased, as evidenced by the numerous temples and churches throughout the state (in the Portuguese period there were even more). In 1542, Francis Xavier arrived here, who tremblingly and diligently spread Christianity throughout Asia.

For local residents Francis Xavier is a very authoritative person, which means that his mission was successful. In Goa, Francis Xavier did not live long and went on to carry Christianity to the masses.

In 1552, Francis Xavier died and was buried on one of the Chinese islands. Two years later, the remains of Francis were transported to India, where some of his parts (it was decided to transfer part of the remains to other temples in Asia) are kept to this day.

In 1622, Francis Xavier was canonized for his contribution to the cause of the Holy Inquisition (and other merits).

Old Goa was the capital until 1847, when, due to a terrible cholera epidemic, it was decided to move the capital to another place. At its peak, the city's population exceeded that of London. But history decided in its own way and the capital moved to the city of Panaji, where it exists to this day.

Portuguese rule in India lasted almost 450 years. After the country gained independence (in 1947), the Portuguese were culturally asked to get out to their homes, but the Europeans pretended that this was not about them.

As a result, in 1961, during a military operation, the Indian army asked the Portuguese to go home no less culturally. It was already useless to resist and Goa was declared a union territory of India.

How to get to Old Goa

There are several ways to see all the sights of Old Goa:

• buy a tour and enjoy, besides Old Goa, there is still a lot of interesting things in it;
• to ride on my own on a moped, my first trip to Old Goa was on a moped. The road is simple, but there are a few troubles, local cops who are on duty on the bridge over the river and a small dangerous section of the road (immediately after Panaji towards Old Goa), where the road is very narrow and heavy trucks strive to occupy the entire width of the road (you feel uncomfortable on a bike) ;
• riding the bus on your own is very easy, cheap, safe and fun. Read all the details about Goan buses in the post "How to travel around Goa by bus". Read about how to get to Old Goa by bus in the post "To Old Goa by bus".

Location of Old Goa on the map

To understand where to look for Old Goa, bring google map, which indicates exact location cities.

All sights of Old Goa

The main attractions of Old Goa are the temples and churches of the Portuguese era. Most of the Christian temples were built by the Portuguese on the site of Hindu temples, which they destroyed in advance, seeing in them something demonic and contrary to the European faith.

The temples in the city are different, there are very majestic and beautifully decorated, but there are also very simple and abandoned ones. Most of the temples, in their appearance, are similar to each other, so you can get confused.

I walked all the sights of Old Goa on foot, so I am ready to answer any questions about their location and the advisability of visiting.

Map of Old Goa with all the sights

I will give a paper map and a Google map of the city, a Google map will help you understand the scale, and a paper one will give a complete picture of the location of attractions.

paper map

The map is minimalist, but the main roads and sights are indicated on it, it was on it that I explored the city.

google map

This grandiose building is made of dark laterite and this is different from the rest of the churches of Old Goa, which have snow-white walls. Inside the basilica are the relics of Francis Xavier, and something like a museum was arranged on the second floor. The church began to be built on November 24, 1594.

St. Catherine's Cathedral (CE Cathedral)

Due to its size, St. Catherine's Cathedral is the largest church in all of Asia, and probably the oldest. The beginning of the construction of the church dates back to 1510 and is timed to coincide with the date of the conquest of Goa.

Catherine's Cathedral was rebuilt several times, so that today's building is no older than 1652. Pay attention to the huge square in front of the cathedral (Terreiro de Sabayo), here the inquisitors read out their sentences, and the golden bells that were located on the towers of the cathedral rang at the beginning of sentencing. Over time, one of the towers could not stand it and collapsed, so now the cathedral looks asymmetrical.

In the third chapel on the right there is a miraculous growing cross that fulfills wishes and continues to grow to this day, all believers should pay attention to it.

Right behind the Cathedral is a gallery of modern Christian art, if you have a lot of free time, you can look in, otherwise feel free to ignore this attraction.

Church and Monastery of Saint Francis of Assisi

Church of St. Francis of Assisi, built in 1619, it is not as huge as the CE Cathedral but has its own charm. All the walls inside the church are decorated with scenes from the life of Francis of Assisi, and the floor is lined with tombstones with the family coats of arms of noble Portuguese, it looks very cool.

In a nearby monastery located Archaeological Museum. Mostly there are sculptures from destroyed Hindu temples and a small gallery of Portuguese viceroys and governors.

Near the church of Francis of Assisi, a small chapel of St. Catherine was built. It was this chapel that was built one of the first, immediately after the conquest of Goa (November 25, 1510, the day of St. Catherine).

All that remains of the structures are the ruins of a high bell tower, more than 40 meters high, and several walls. The bell from this church is now in Panaji, in the church of the Madonna of the Immaculate Conception.

Most of the artifacts are still buried in the ground and this is of great interest to local archaeologists, so you can meet people digging in the ground here in any season.

Located opposite the ruins of the church of St. Augustine. The chapel is dedicated to the patron saint of the Portuguese army and navy. The Chapel of Saint Anthony is one of the oldest in Goa, it was abandoned in 1835 and fell into complete disrepair. However, in 1961 it was completely restored by the governor of Goa, Vassalu de Silva.

The church is located opposite the monastery of St. Monica. Unfortunately, tourist visits to this building are difficult, as there is a nursing home.

The church and monastery of St. Monica are located next to the chapel of St. Anthony and the ruins of the church of St. Augustine. The monastery of Saint Monica has a long history and many patrons. The founding date is considered to be July 2, 1606, on that day the archbishop don Alesio de Menezes ordered the construction of the monastery to begin.

The monastery of St. Monica ceased to exist after the death of the last sister in 1885, and only in 1968 again received the status of a religious institution. Now the Theological Center for monks is located here, but tourists are not particularly welcome here.

Museum of Christian Art

The museum building is located near the monastery of St. Monica, once this building belonged to the monastery. The museum building has been completely restored and looks exactly like during construction, and it was built in 1627. The high ceiling (several normal floors high), authentic wooden beams, terracotta stucco and a few museum exhibits take you back several centuries in a very natural and effortless way.

Church of Our Lady of Rosary

If you go from the roundabout (where the Gandhi monument is) towards the ferry crossing and turn right at the first T-junction, then the road will lead you to the Church of Our Lady of the Mount.

A small church was built on a small hill in 1557, in the place where Adil Shah's artillery was. There is also a commemorative plaque talking about the confrontation between the army of Adil Shah and the Portuguese.

You most likely will not be able to see the church from the inside, but the view of the entire Old Goa from here is magnificent.

Opposite the Cathedral of St. Catherine (Cathedral of CE) is the Church of St. Cajetan - this is a very truthful copy of the Roman Cathedral of St. Peter. If you are careful, you can see the beautiful basalt gates that were left from the Adil Shah's palace once located here.

If you go towards the ferry crossing, you will see another beautiful gate called the Arch of the Viceroy.

Old Goa from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews of Old Goa.

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Old Goa is also known as Goa Velha. In those days when the Portuguese dominated India, it was the capital of the country. The Portuguese rule was quite long, so the city has a rich heritage from this people.

In Old Goa, the architecture of the late Middle Ages, Catholic churches of outstanding beauty, as well as museums, palaces and estates, have been preserved. And also it is here that St. Francis Xavier is buried. Impeccably he once drew local population into the Christian faith.

Apart from cultural heritage, tourists are waiting for chic sandy beaches(including wild ones), famous Goan parties, fish restaurants on the coast, and all this at fairly humane prices.

How to get there

Old Goa is located 9 km from Panaji. From there it is easy to get there by bus or taxi.

Old Goa

Entertainment and attractions of Old Goa

Most of the attractions of Old Goa are associated with the era of Portuguese rule. Catholic cathedrals of the late Middle Ages, palaces, and museums have been preserved here.

The largest church in India is the colonial-style Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria (aka Se Cathedral). This temple was built in 1510 in honor of the victory over the Muslims. One of its towers is still destroyed, but this gives it a special mystery. One of the main relics in the country is kept in the Se Cathedral - the font of Francis Xavier, in which he baptized the local population, converting them to a new faith. This font is said to have healing powers.

But the relics of Francis are stored in another temple - in the Basilica of Bom Jesus. They are also considered holy and healing, so the pilgrimage to these places has not stopped for many years.

Opposite the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria is the chapel of St. Cajetan, which is rather remarkable for its architecture: it is almost a copy of St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome, and the inside is decorated in the Baroque style.

Of the museums in Old Goa, the archaeological museum is interesting, which contains an impressive collection of Portuguese weapons, household items and art, as well as statues of Indian gods, as well as a museum of Christian art, the exposition of which tells about the history of religious cults of these places.

One of the most beautiful buildings in the city is the Archbishop's Palace. It is located next to the Xie Cathedral and was built with it at about the same time. This is an example of the architecture of the "golden age" of colonial Goa, as well as the only secular building that has survived from those times.

Popular hotels in Old Goa

• Where to stay: in luxury hotels, democratic hotels or budget guesthouses and bungalows of one of the 9 beaches of the resort - any tourist will certainly find accommodation here to his taste and budget. Resort entertainment will meet on the popular Anjuna and in the noisy Calangute. You can safely go to Morjim for those who speak exclusively Russian. Lovers of solitude have a direct road to Tiracol, Bagu and Mandrem, and those who give both this and that should settle in Sinquerim,

Even today, the grandeur of Old Goa has not diminished, and the many breathtaking landmarks and eye-catching architecture can enchant even seasoned history buffs. Most of the buildings and landmarks of Old Goa have been well preserved, which has led to the designation of the area as a site. world heritage UNESCO.
The best way exploring Old Goa is a walk as the area is actually small. It is located in a fairly convenient location, close to most of the beaches in Goa.

On this page:
1. Location on the map
2. How to get there
3. History
4. Attractions
4.1. Church of Saint Cajetan
4.2. Chapel of Our Lady on Mt.
4.3. Architecture
4.4. Events
4.5. Vickeroy Arch
4.6. Basilica of Bom Jesus
4.7. Se Cathedral
4.8. Ruins of Saint Augustine
4.9. Archaeological Museum

Old Goa on the map

Founded by the Portuguese explorer Alfonoso de Albuquerque in 1510, Goa Velha or Old Goa became the capital of a vast empire sharing the same civil privileges as Lisbon. it amazing place located on the banks of the Mandovi River, about 9 km from the capital of Goa, Panaji. Note that before the city was founded here, there was already a small settlement on the site of Old Goa.
Old Goa - the historical part of Goa, which was ruled by the Portuguese for 450 years. Best time to visit this area - the period from October to May. From December to February, it can be especially crowded here.
The main attractions of the area include: the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, the Basilica of Our Lady, the Monastery of St. Monica, the Mausoleum of Francis Xavier, the Cathedral, the Archaeological Museum, the Church and Monastery of St. John the Evangelist and other old monuments.

How to get to Old Goa

If you want to come here from another region of India, you can get there by air or by railway. Railroad station Vasco da Gama is connected to major cities India.
In order to get to Old Goa from other parts of the state, you can use a taxi or bus. Of course, if you plan to rent a bike, you can ride it. To do this, it is enough to know where this area is located.

History of Old Goa

It would be wrong to say that Old Goa today is just a shadow of what it was in the past. Old Goa covered a vast area and had a population of 200,000, twice the population of today's capital, Panaji. The city was also called the "Rome of the East".
It was as if the city had been cursed since its founding by outbreaks of deadly diseases such as cholera, malaria, and plague. The economic downturn in trading activity has also led to a reduction in infrastructure.
Old Goa was founded by the Bijapur Sultanate in the 15th century as a port on the banks of the Mandovi River. It was used as a port during the reign of Kadamba and the Vijayanagar Empire. It is also the place where Afonso de Albuquerque entered after his conquest on February 17, 1510. For the first time since Alexander left India in 326 BC, Indian territory came under European control.
On May 30, 1510, the city was recaptured by the Bijapur Sultanate, forcing Albuquerque to retreat into the sea. Due to the onset of the monsoons, Albuquerque was unable to send his ships to sea, so he had to spend the entire rainy season at anchor outside the city, at a sufficient distance from the enemy guns.
In August 1510, Albuquerque was finally able to sail home, only to return three months later with a stronger fleet. He retook the city by defeating the forces of the Bijapur Sultanate and their Ottoman allies on November 25, 1510. This was followed by the massacre of the Muslim population.
Since the city was taken on the day of St. Catherine, a church was built in her honor. The location of the church is also an important point in the battle and the place from where Afonso de Albuquerque entered the city.
Old Goa soon became the capital of the Portuguese colony (it had previously served as the second capital of the Bijapur Sultanate). As the Portuguese dominated trade in the Arabian Sea, this city prospered. Many beautiful buildings were built in the area, so beautiful that even the European guests were delighted.
In 1543, cholera hit Goa Velho as the primitive sewer systems could not handle the growing population. The problem was caused by seepage through the porous soil of waste polluting the water supply. Malaria further increased the death toll.
In the middle of the 17th century, an economic recession began, due to which the infrastructure of the city began to collapse. In the 17th century, the city's population, which once exceeded 200,000 inhabitants, was reduced to 20,000. The decline in population and the deterioration of infrastructure continued, and in 1684 proposals were put forward to relocate the capital. Mormugao was chosen as the site for the founding of a new capital, and construction even began here, which was later suspended, and then completely abandoned. In the end, the city of Panaji was declared the capital of the Portuguese Goa in 1843 by royal decree.
After the capital was moved to Panaji, Goa Velha continued to decline and at one point the population was reduced to 2,000. Most of the population decline was due to deadly diseases that swept through the city, making it dangerous place for life.
As many buildings were either demolished or abandoned, the desolate area slowly became covered in forest. Today, almost nothing remains of the glorious past of this city. But all that remains today is under the protection of UNESCO.

Sights of Old Goa

Although many holidaymakers come to Goa to explore the state's long and beautiful coastline, there are many cultural and historical areas to explore. One of the best places to explore the interesting history of the region is Old Goa, which showcases the past wealth that was here during the Portuguese colonial era.
In the 16th century, Old Goa was called the "Rome of the East", which clearly speaks of its former greatness and significant position in Asia. Today, many of the treasures of that city are in ruins, and Old Goa is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here you can see some well-preserved buildings and landmarks that will take you back to a bygone era.

Church of Saint Cajetan

This cathedral is located half a kilometer northeast of Cathedral in Old Goa. Built in 1655, the church was originally called the Church of Our Lady of Divine Providence because the main altar was dedicated to her. Later, an Italian Catholic priest and religious reformer, Cajetan, was recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church, and August 7 was declared his day.
Since Saint Cajetan was a co-founder of the Theatian Order, a contemporary of Saint Francis Xavier, the church was named after him. One of the altars on the right side of the entrance was dedicated to him.
The church has a large dome with Latin inscriptions from the Gospel of Matthew on the inside. The facade of the church was created in the Corinthian style and has four granite statues of Saints Peter, Paul, John the Evangelist and Matthew. The church has seven altars and the main altar is dedicated to Our Lady of Providence.
The construction of the church was carried out under the guidance of Italian architects Carlo Ferrarini and Francesco Maria Milazzo. The façade of this beautiful church is said to have been modeled after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Built of laterite stone and plastered with lime, the cathedral has appearance and interior in Corinthian style, while the intricate carvings on the altars inside are in the Baroque style. The grand facade of the church is complemented by two towers on both sides, which serve as bell towers. There are Corinthian columns and pilasters supporting the pediment, and four niches containing statues of the apostles.
If you enter the church, on the left side you will see three altars dedicated to the Holy Family, Our Lady of Piety and Saint Clare. On the right are the altars of St. John, St. Cajetan and St. Agnes. The largest altar on the right side of the church is dedicated to Our Lady of Providence. The altars also have paintings of the Italian school on canvas, some of which depict scenes from the life of Saint Cajetan. In the niches on the sides of the vault there are wooden statues of saints.
Below the dome, on a raised square platform, is a well, which is currently covered. The presence of the well has led to the belief that the site was once a Hindu temple. The cemetery under the altar was converted in 1842 into storage for the bodies of the dead Portuguese soldiers before they were sent to Lisbon.
The building in which the Teatsky monastery is located near the church is currently the site of the diocesan pastoral center. On the grounds of the church are the remains of a doorway that was once the entrance to an Islamic palace owned by Adil Shah, the ruler of Goa before the Portuguese took control of the area.
The church of Saint Cajetan is a beautiful work of architects and is a must visit place for one and all.

Chapel of Our Lady on Mt.

On the hill, high above former capital Goa during the Portuguese regime, there is a beautiful chapel. It is known as the Chapel of Our Lady of the Mountain or Capela da Nossa Señora do Monte in Portuguese.
The Chapel of Our Lady on the Mountain has a very interesting story. It was built by Alfonso de Albuquerque after his victory over the Muslim ruler of Goa, Adil Shah in 1510. Due to its secluded location, the chapel is often overlooked. It was reconstructed twice and restored in 2001 and is now in pristine condition.
Alfonso de Albuquerque first launched an attack on Adil Shah's army to take Goa in March 1510. His attempts were thwarted. He launched the second attack on November 25, 1510, and it ended in success. Alfonso realized the importance of the high hill and its strategic location. The Chapel of Our Lady of the Mountain was built many years after the conquest of Goa to mark the spot where Adil Shah's army took up position. The old temple gave way to the church. The Portuguese Archaeological Committee placed an inscription on the marble in 1931: "Here the Mohammedan artillery stood against Alfonso de Albuquerque in May 1510."

Architecture

Built in the Mannerist style and measuring 33 meters long and 14 meters wide, the structure is quite large for a chapel. Its walls are 2.7 meters thick and support a roof made of Mangalore tiles. The chapel consists of three sections. The ground floor section has entrances with windows surmounted by triangular pediments at the top.
Many additions have been made to the chapel over the years, the earliest being a two-story loggia attached to the north wall. Some extensions have also been made on the northeast wall and the east façade, which is behind the altar.
The chapel has three altars. The main altar has in the center the image of the Mother of God on the mountain where the child Jesus is. Above it is the coronation of the Virgin Mary, and below it is an image of Our Lady of the Assumption.

Events

Usually the chapel is not open to the public for any event. Weddings here require special permission from the Bishop's Palace. Every year the chapel hosts a music festival that aims to integrate Indian and Western forms of classical music. People come here from different countries world to take part in the festival, as well as to become its witness. This is truly a stunning feast for the eyes and ears of all music lovers.
In conclusion, I would like to say that earlier this chapel could be reached by climbing the steps on one side of the hill, but now there is a road leading to it. The police are also vigilant about people visiting the chapel, as it is probably not the most safe place in Goa.

Vickeroy Arch

This arch was built in memory of Vasco da Gama in 1597 by his great son Francisco da Gama after he became viceroy. Under the Portuguese government, there was a ceremonial significance. Every governor who was in charge of Goa had to pass through the arch.
Vikeroy Arch was built using red lateritic stone. At its entrance is a statue of Vasco da Gama, looking at the Mandovi River. He was the first European to circumnavigate the Cape Good Hope to get to India.
An inscription inside the arch describes the reasons for its construction. Another decorated slab celebrates the independence of Portugal from the Spanish king in 1640. The inscription on it is translated: "Legitimate and true king Dom Joao IV, restorer of Portuguese freedom."
On the back of the arch is a statue of a lady. She wears a crown and a long ornate robe. She holds a sword in one hand and an open book in the other and looks ahead. Under her feet lies the figure of a man in the same decorated robe, slippers and turban, which confirms his high rank. The head of this man is propped up by his elbow. It is believed that the statue has a symbolic value.
The Arch of Viqueroy was the place where the keys to the city of Old Goa were handed over to the new Viceroy. The structure lost its solemn significance when the capital of Goa was moved to Panaji in 1843.

Basilica of Bom Jesus

This Basilica is famous for containing the remains of Saint Francis Xavier and is considered the finest example of Baroque architecture in the state. The basilica was built in 1605 and today is one of the most popular attractions in Goa.

Se Cathedral

It is the largest cathedral in all of Asia and one of the most famous religious buildings in India. Of course, this is one of the most captivating sights in Old Goa. Built in 1563, the cathedral has one of its most famous features, a large bell known as the "Golden Bell". It is the largest bell in Goa and is also recognized as one of the finest bells in the world due to its rich tone.

Ruins of Saint Augustine

The crumbling remains of the Church of St. Augustine are perhaps the perfect metaphor for the fallen era of Portuguese colonization. All that remains of the old church is a 46-meter-high tower, which was once the bell tower of this structure. The church was built in the early 1600s. It was soon abandoned and gradually collapsed between 1842 and 1938. The bell of the church, however, still survives, but it is in the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Panaji.

Archaeological Museum

The archaeological museum and portrait gallery have become a place where everyone can get a broad understanding of the archaeological and artistic history of Goa. Many artifacts, sculptures and items from the Portuguese rule are among the most intriguing exhibits of the museum, which has eight galleries and even covers the prehistoric era.

Old Goa or Goa - Vel - a city and at the same time a cultural and architectural complex located in the district north goa, India. It is located nine kilometers from the capital of Goa, Panaji, on the banks of the Mandovi River. For a long time Old Goa was the capital of the Portuguese colony. During the reign of Europeans, many churches, temples and estates were built.

Most of the buildings of the late Middle Ages are well preserved, so in 1986 the territory of the Old Town received the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The passage to all historical sites is in the public domain.

Sights of Old Goa

On the territory of Old Goa there are many architectural buildings. Many churches and temples have been restored and reconstructed. Some of them are still serving. The main attractions are located close to each other, which is very convenient for tourists. Entrance to the territory is absolutely free.

Cathedral of Saint Catherine

Archaeological Museum

Story

Officially, the history of Goa began in the third century BC. Then Goa was part of the Buddhist Mauryan Empire. Later belonged to various Hindu dynasties. In the fourteenth century, Old Goa came under the rule of the Delhi Sultanate, but sixty years later it was recaptured by the Vajayanagar Empire. A hundred years later, the Muslims were in power again. By the time the Portuguese arrived, Goa was part of the Bijapur Sultanate under the rule of the Adil Shah dynasty.

In 1510, a Portuguese army led by General Afonso de Albuquerque retook Goa from Sultan Yusuf Adil Shah. Thus, 450 years old Goa belonged to the Portuguese. During this time, Christianity actively spread, churches, temples and chapels were built. In 1947, India gained independence, and in 1961, during a military operation, the Portuguese were sent home and Goa was declared a territory of India.

How to get there

Old Goa has long been a place of attraction for most tourists staying in this Indian state. It is easy to get here both on your own and by ordering a tour service. Tours run from most nearby major cities. To order, please contact tourist agency or to a private guide.

Bus

Easy access to Old Goa intercity buses along the NH748 highway. From Panaji, the journey will take approximately 30 minutes. The Panjim Bus Stand is located near State Museum Goa.

scooter or car

Renting scooters or cars is common in India, so many tourists get to Old Goa on their own. You need to move east from the city center along the Ponte de Linhares Causeway or NH748 roads. The distance from Panaji is just over 10 kilometers, from Margao - about 32 kilometers, from Ponda - about 20 kilometers.