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disappeared,
and only a fragment of the Sultan’s palace walls, half-a-dozen
imposing churches and cathedrals (among the largest in Asia)
remains. Old Goa get crowded during weekends and during the 10
days leading up to the Feast of St. Francis Xavier on 3
December.
History of Old Goa or Goa Velha
When Richard Burton, the explorer, arrived in Goa on sick
leave from his Indian army unit in 1850 he described Old Goa
as being a place of ‘utter desolation’ and the people ‘as
sepulchral looking as the spectacle around them’. The
vegetation was dense and he had difficulty reaching the ruins.
He compared the churches unfavourably with those in Italian
villages, but was impressed by their size. Burton may well
have started the trend of going to Goa for rest and
relaxation. The Old Goa was once able to stand up to Lisbon.
But back in the 1500s and with a population exceeding that of
Lisbon and London, that’s exactly what Old Goa was able to do.
However the good times didn’t last long and both the
Inquisition and major epidemic did their best to lower this
decadent and immoral dollop of Portugal. Finally, in 1843, the
capital was shifted to Panaji.
The City of Old Goa
Old Goa was protected by a fortified wall. In the west lay the
barracks, mint, foundry and arsenal, hospital and prison. On
the banks for the river were the shipyards of Ribeira des
Gales and adjacent to these was the administrative and
commercial centre. To the east was the market and fortress of
Adil Shah, while the true centre of the town was filled with
magnificent churches. It is to these that most visitors come.
Churches in Old Goa
All of the churches of Old Goa used the local red laterite as
the basic building material. Basalt and fine white limestone
where imported from Bassein, N of Bombay, for decorative
details. The literate exteriors were coated with a lime
plaster to protect them from the weather and this lime-wash
had to be renewed after each monsoon. When maintenance was
allowed to lapse, the buildings literally crumbled away. The
Archaeological Survey of India is responsible for the upkeep
of the churches.
Tourist Attractions in Old Goa
The main tourist attractions in Old Goa are the churches. Some
famous churches in the Old Goa are Se Cathedral, Chapel of Our
Lady of the Rosary Manueline, Church Of St. Augustine, Church
and Convent Of St. Monica, Basilica of Bom (the Good) Jesus,
Convent & Church Of St Francis Of Assisi, Church Of St.
Cajetan, Arch of the Viceroys, Gate of the Fortress of the
Adil Shah. The Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary belongs to the
earliest period of church building and is described as
Manueline. The Church Of St. Augustine is now in ruins, except
the enormous 46 m tower that served as a belfry and formed
part of the façade. The Convent of St. Monica is the biggest
church in East Asia. The world famous church or Basilica of
Bom Jesus contains the tomb and mortal remains of body of St.
Francis Xavier, a former pupil of the soldier turned saint,
Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Order of Jesuits.
More...
How to reach Old Goa
By Air
The nearest airport is in Dabolim, about 29 kms south of
Panaji, on the coast near Vasco da Gama. Indian Airlines
connects Goa with Bombay, Bangalore, Cochin, Trivandrum and
Delhi.
By Train
The nearest railway station is Karmali, 12 kms. to the east
near Old Goa.
By Road
Old Goa is well connected by various cities and beaches in Goa
including the Panaji, Calangute beach, Mapusa beach, Margao. |
