Goa old city. Sights of old goa. Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria

Old Goa or Goa - Vel is a city and at the same time a cultural and architectural complex located in the North Goa district, 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 European rule, many churches, temples and estates were built.

Most of the buildings from the late Middle Ages are well preserved, so in 1986 the Old Town area received the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Access to all historical sites is open to the public.

Sights of Old Goa

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

Cathedral of St. Catherine

Archaeological Museum

Story

Officially, the history of Goa began in the third century BC. Goa was then part of the Buddhist Maurya 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 reconquered by the Vajayanagar Empire. And a hundred years later the Muslims had 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, the Portuguese army under the leadership of General Afonso de Albuquerque recaptured Goa from Sultan Yusuf Adil Shah. Thus, for 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 Indian territory.

How to get there

Old Goa has long been a place of attraction for most tourists staying in this Indian state. It’s easy to get here either on your own or by ordering a guided tour. Tours operate from most nearby major cities. To order, you must contact a travel agency or a private guide.

Bus

Old Goa is easily accessible by intercity buses on the NH748. From Panaji the journey will take approximately 30 minutes. The Panjim Bus Stand is located near the Goa State Museum.

Scooter or car

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

Old Goa was a fortress, inside of which, and, subsequently, outside of which, buildings and structures were built for various purposes. Today, the fortress walls are practically invisible, the docks have been rebuilt, and residential buildings are concentrated far beyond the old center, which has become a tourist attraction.

Extant to this day sights of Old Goa these are mainly monumental religious buildings. (1510) stood just outside the gate on the outer side of the wall facing Mandovi. They later appeared next to it (1521), in the monastery at this church and (c. 1510). Almost simultaneously with the cathedral, Afonso di Albuquerque ordered the construction of a monastery to begin, on the site of which it was built thirty years later (c. 1510). It stands on the highest hill in the vicinity of Old Goa, where Afonso de Albuquerque had his headquarters during the conquest of the city. On the same hill you can see the ruins of the Monastery of the Grace of God, the College of Our Lady of Popolo, which belonged to the Augustinians (under the general name ""), and the College of Saint Roch, which belonged to the Jesuits, as well as (1537-1572), a complex (1690; now there is a nursing home) and the huge convent of Saint Monica (1606-1627; now there), which was the only female educational institution in the entire Portuguese East. It is curious that the churches built in the valleys between the hills were the first to be abandoned, since the air here was the most unhealthy. Among them are the monastery of St. Dominic and the monastery of the Discalced Carmelites, which stood east of the fortress wall (1541-1543) (not even ruins remain of the latter two).

To the west of the fortress of the old city there was a vast square on which stood the Jesuit (1594-1605). Now it is one of the main attractions of Old Goa, as it houses the relics of St. Francis Xavier, the most famous preacher of Catholicism in Asia.

A kilometer south of Old Goa you can see (1619). A kilometer east of the city there are (c. 1560) and (c. 1510), and a little closer, on the banks of the Mandovi River, is located (1655-1661).

Map of the main attractions of Old Goa

Click, the map will open in a new window and be enlarged

Other attractions of Old Goa

Altar of the Church of Our Lady of the Hill
Coordinates: 15.502052,73.913164 (GPS: 15°30’7.39″N, 73°54’47.39″E)

Monastery of the Discalced Carmelites
Coordinates: 15.50312,73.918413 (GPS: 15°30’11.23″N, 73°55’6.29″E)

Church of St. John Sahagun
Coordinates: 15.48954,73.93475 (GPS: 15°29’22.34″N, 73°56’5.10″E)

Site of the Church of St. Lucia
Coordinates: 15.509687,73.92323 (GPS: 15°30’34.87″N, 73°55’23.63″E)

Site of the Church of Our Lady of Light
Coordinates: 15.494469,73.91138 (GPS: 15°29’40.09″N, 73°54’40.97″E)

Site of the Augustinian College of Our Lady of Popolo
Coordinates: 15.4987,73.90557 (GPS: 15°29’55.32″N, 73°54’20.05″E)

Site of the Jesuit College of Saint Roch
Coordinates: 15.501042,73.905085 (GPS: 15°30’3.75″N, 73°54’18.31″E)

Site of the Monastery of Saint Dominic
Coordinates: 15.505725, 73.918364 (GPS: 15°30’20.61″N, 73°55’6.11″E)

Gate of Fort Mangweiral
Coordinates: 15.480467,73.945133 (GPS: 15°28’49.68″N, 73°56’42.48″E)

Walls of Old Goa
Only a few pieces of the wall remain

Arch of the Governors General
Coordinates: 15.505554, 73.914197 (GPS: 15°30’20.0″N 73°54’51.1″E)

Mole Gate
Coordinates: 15.481095,73.910855 (GPS: 15°28’51.94″N, 73°54’39.08″E)

Place of Talaulim Gate
Coordinates: 15.484814,73.899577 (GPS: 15°29’5.33″N, 73°53’58.48″E)

Some time after its founding, Goa was annexed to the Portuguese colony, and even served as its capital for some time. From the very beginning, the city was a fort surrounded by water and protective palisades. Mosques and the residence of rulers were built on its territory. In 1550, the Portuguese Afonso De Albuquerque annexed the fort and made it his colonial capital. To prove his power, he destroyed all the Muslim inhabitants on the territory of the fortress. A couple of centuries later, a major epidemic occurred, due to which all residents moved to Panaji, which was located nearby. Today, Old Goa and its buildings are of historical value. Let's get acquainted with the most interesting of them.

Basilica of Bom Jesus

This place contains the remains of the Goan patron Francis Xavier. In the mid-20th century, the building became known as the Minor Basilica. It was founded thanks to the Jesuits, who created a building that combined several unusual styles. There are no similar temples in Goa, because the Basilica was built without the use of stucco.

The interior decoration of the temple is worthy of a separate description. In the center is an altar surrounded by gilded statues. The sacristy is decorated with marble and precious stones. There is also a tomb created in 1698 by the Florentine architect Giovanni Foggini. All financial costs then fell on the shoulders of the Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo III. The holy relics are placed in a reliquary carved entirely from silver. It has several small windows where parts of the Goan patron's body can be seen.

St. Catherine's Cathedral

The cathedral was built by Portuguese masters. Construction lasted exactly ninety years. This period is not accidental, because the result was a building that became the largest temple in Asia. For the Portuguese, the Tuscan style is considered familiar, which became the main one in the architecture of the cathedral. This magnificent structure has a length of 76 meters and a width of 55. From the very foundation, the cathedral was surrounded by two watchtowers, but in 1776 they collapsed. Over time, the shrine was restored, so at present it has a rather unusual appearance. Among other things, the cathedral became famous for its bells. One of the towers houses the largest bell in Goa, which locals nicknamed “golden”. Its amazing ringing even inspired one writer to write a poem. During the Inquisition, the ringing of bells warned of the start of the execution of criminals.

The altar of the cathedral was built in honor of the holy woman. At the very entrance you can see the font, where the patron saint of Goa met and baptized everyone. Every decade, his remains are brought here so that locals or tourists can pray. The walls of the cathedral are decorated with numerous frescoes depicting the life and torment of St. Catherine. In one of the halls you can also see a cross, which, according to legend, heals sick people. It is placed in a special box with holes through which you can touch the shrine.

Church of St. Cajetan

This church is considered the most beautiful in Old Goa. It is often compared to St. Peter's Church. The building was erected in the mid-17th century. The inside of the church is decorated in Baroque style, and the outside in Corinthian style. The main hall contains numerous statues of angels and Indian martyrs. Among all the decoration of the church, a wooden well standing on a platform stands out. According to church workers and local residents, this is all that remains of the past Hindu temple.

Church of St. Francis

The church was built at the beginning of the 16th century by monks. But almost immediately it was ordered to be demolished. The modern building appeared only in 1661. The entrance, which they decided to leave, became a memory of the previous structure. During the reign of Don Manuel, a style of the same name was created, which found itself in the architecture of the church. The doors are decorated with globes surrounding a cross, symbolizing the Portuguese ships. Also worth the attention of tourists are the walls with unusual floral patterns that smoothly merge into the ceiling. On the floor you can see the tombstones of Portuguese saints.

Monastery of St. Augustine

In 1512, the Augustinians built the Temple of St. Augustine. Over time, a whole complex consisting of a monastery and 4 minarets grew from a small building. At that time, it was the largest structure in Goa built from laterite. The monastery had three levels with wide staircases and was divided into a hotel and a hospital.

In 1835, as it happened, the shrine was abandoned, and the main bell was transported to Fort Aguada. Today, only ruins remain of the once majestic monastery. Only one of the towers and numerous tombstones remain in good condition.

Old Goa is also known as Goa Velha. During the Portuguese rule, this city was even the capital. And this went on for quite a long time, which is probably why there are so many memorable places left in this city related to that ancient period. Here you can admire the architecture of the era dating back to the late Middle Ages, the outstanding beauty of Catholic churches, and besides them, palaces, museums and estates.

This city is also famous for the fact that St. Francis Xavier was buried here, who during his lifetime diligently converted the local population to the Christian faith. But in addition to the impressive cultural heritage, tourists in this city can expect gorgeous beaches, including wild ones, fish restaurants right on the coast and the famous Goan parties. And all this at very reasonable prices.

In Old Goa, you should see the largest Catholic church in India - the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria, made in the colonial style. The construction of this temple was timed to coincide with a solemn event - the victory over the Muslims in 1510.

It is interesting that one of the towers of this cathedral is still in a ruined state, even giving it some mystery. This cathedral houses perhaps one of the most significant Christian shrines on the island - the font of Francis Xavier, in which he baptized converts to the Christian faith. Experts claim that it has some healing powers.

Well, the relics of St. Francis themselves are not here, but in the Basilica of Bom Jesus. Since they also have healing powers, pilgrimage to them continues to this day. The Triumphal Arch of the Viceroys occupies an important place in Old Goa, since it was through it that the Portuguese governors entered the city and here they received the symbolic “keys to the city” from the local residents.

Directly opposite the cathedral dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria, there is the Chapel of St. Cajetan, notable only for its architecture, since it is practically a smaller copy of St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome, its interiors are decorated in the Baroque style.

If you want to go through the museums of Old Goa, the most interesting ones are the archaeological museum with an impressive collection of Portuguese weapons, art and household items, with statues of Hindu deities, and the Museum of Christian Art, where you can learn a lot about the history of religious cults in these parts.

And finally, you should see the most beautiful building in the city - the Archbishop's Palace, it is located not far from St. Catherine's Cathedral and was built around the same time. It is considered a typical example of the architecture of the "golden age" in colonial Goa and is perhaps the only secular building preserved in the city from those ancient times.

Even today, the grandeur of Old Goa has not diminished and the many breathtaking landmarks and attractive architectural structures can enchant even seasoned history buffs. Most of the buildings and landmarks of Old Goa have been well preserved, leading to the area being awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
The best way to explore Old Goa is on foot, 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 of the Mountain
4.3. Architecture
4.4. Events
4.5. Vickeroy Arch
4.6. Basilica of Bom Jesus
4.7. Se Cathedral
4.8. Ruins of St. Augustine
4.9. Archaeological Museum

Old Goa on the map

Founded by Portuguese explorer Alfonoso de Albuquerque in 1510, Goa Velha or Old Goa became the capital of a vast empire, sharing the same civic privileges as Lisbon. This amazing place is 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 is the historical part of Goa, which was under the rule of the Portuguese for 450 years. The best time to visit this area is from October to May. From December to February it can be especially crowded.
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

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 people, twice the population of today's capital Panaji. The city was also called the "Rome of the East".
As if cursed since its founding, the city has suffered from 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. This is also the place where Afonso de Albuquerque entered after its conquest on February 17, 1510. For the first time since Alexander left India in 326 BC, Indian territory was under European control.
On May 30, 1510, the city was recaptured by the Sultanate of Bijapur, forcing Albuquerque to retreat to the sea. Due to the onset of the monsoon, Albuquerque was unable to send his ships sailing, so he had to spend the entire rainy season at anchor outside the city, at a sufficient distance from the enemy's guns.
In August 1510, Albuquerque was finally able to sail home, returning three months later with a stronger fleet. He retook the city, defeating the forces of the Sultanate of Bijapur and their Ottoman allies on November 25, 1510. This was followed by the massacre of the Muslim population.
Since the city was taken on St. Catherine's day, a church was built in her honor. The location of the church is also an important point in the battle and the place from which 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, the city prospered. Many beautiful buildings were built in this area, so beautiful that even European visitors were delighted.
In 1543, cholera came to Goa Velho as primitive sewage systems could not cope with the growing population. The problem was caused by waste seeping through the porous soil, contaminating the water supply. Malaria further increased the death toll.
In the mid-17th century, an economic recession began and the city's infrastructure began to crumble. In the 17th century, the city's population, which once exceeded 200,000 inhabitants, was reduced to 20,000. The decline in population and deterioration of infrastructure continued, and in 1684 proposals were made to move the capital. Mormugao was chosen as the site for the founding of the new capital, and construction even began here, which was later suspended and then completely abandoned. Eventually, the city of Panaji was declared the capital of Portuguese Goa by royal decree in 1843.
After the capital was moved to Panaji, Goa Velha continued to decline and at one point the population was reduced to 2,000 people. Much of the population decline was due to the deadly diseases that plagued the city, making it a dangerous place to live.
As many buildings were either demolished or abandoned, the deserted area slowly became covered with forest. Today, almost nothing remains of this city's glorious past. But everything that remains today is under the protection of UNESCO.

Sights of Old Goa

Church of Saint Cajetan

This cathedral is located half a kilometer northeast of the 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, the Italian Catholic priest and religious reformer, Cajetan, was recognized as a saint in the Catholic Church, and August 7 was declared his day.
Since Saint Cajetan was a co-founder of the Theate 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 is 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 leadership 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. Constructed of laterite stone and plastered with lime, the cathedral has a Corinthian-style exterior and interior, with elaborate carvings on the altars inside in the Baroque style. The grandiose 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 on canvas of the Italian school, some of which depict scenes from the life of St. Cajetan. In the niches on the sides of the vault there are wooden statues of saints.
Under the dome, on a raised square platform, there is a well, which is currently covered. The presence of the well has led to the belief that there was once a Hindu temple on the site. The cemetery below the altar was turned into a storage area in 1842 for the bodies of dead Portuguese soldiers before they were sent to Lisbon.
The building in which the Theate Monastery is located near the church is currently the site of the diocesan pastoral center. Within the church grounds are the remains of a doorway that was once the entrance to an Islamic palace belonging to Adil Shah, the ruler of Goa before the Portuguese took control of the area.
The Church of St. Cajetan is a wonderful work of architects and is a must-visit place for one and all.

Chapel of Our Lady of the Mountain

On a hill high above the former capital of Goa during the Portuguese regime, stands a beautiful chapel. It is known as the Chapel of Our Lady of the Mountain or Capela da Nossa Senhora do Monte in Portuguese.
The Chapel of Our Lady of the Mountain has a very interesting history. 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 its original condition.
Alfonso de Albuquerque first launched an attack on Adil Shah's army to capture Goa in March 1510. His attempts were thwarted. He launched a 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 Mount was built many years after the conquest of Goa to mark the spot where Adil Shah's army took up its position. The old temple gave way to a 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 first 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 of which is a two-story loggia attached to the north wall. Some extensions were also carried out on the north-east wall and the east façade, which is behind the altar.
The chapel has three altars. The main altar has in the center an image of Our Lady on the Mountain, where the child Jesus is. Above it is the coronation of the Virgin Mary, and below is the image of Our Lady of the Assumption.

Events

The chapel is not usually open to the public for any event. To hold a wedding here, you need 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 of the world to take part in the festival and also to witness it. This is truly an amazing feast for the eyes and ears of all music lovers.
In conclusion, this chapel was previously accessible by climbing 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 safest place in Goa at night.

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 go through the arch.
The Vickeroy Arch was built using red laterite stone. At its entrance there is a statue of Vasco da Gama looking at the Mandovi River. He was the first European to round the Cape of Good Hope to reach India.
The inscription inside the arch describes the reasons for its construction. Another decorated slab commemorates Portugal's independence from the Spanish king in 1640. The inscription on it translates: “Legitimate and true king Dom Joao IV, restorer of Portuguese freedom.”
On the back side of the arch there is a statue of a lady. She wears a crown and a long decorated robe. She holds a sword in one hand and an open book in the other and looks forward. Under her feet lies the figure of a man in the same decorated robe, slippers and turban, which confirms his high rank. This man's head is supported by his elbow. The statue is believed to have symbolic value.
Vickeroy's Arch was the place where the new Viceroy was given the keys to the city of Old Goa. The structure lost its ceremonial significance when the capital of Goa was moved to Panaji in 1843.

Basilica of Bom Jesus

This Basilica is famous for housing the remains of St. Francis Xavier and is considered the best 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 fascinating attractions 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 St. Augustine

The crumbling remains of St. Augustine's Church perhaps serve as a 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 building. 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, is still preserved, but it is located in the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Panaji.

Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum and Portrait Gallery has become a place where anyone can gain a broad understanding of the archaeological and artistic history of Goa. Many artifacts, sculptures and objects from Portuguese rule are among the most intriguing exhibits in the museum, which has eight galleries and spans even the prehistoric era.