Old Goa

Old Goa is a historical site and city situated on the southern banks of the River Mandovi, within the Tiswadi taluka of North Goa district, in the Indian state of Goa. The city was established by the Bijapur Sultanate in the 15th century AD and served as the capital of Portuguese Indian possessions until its abandonment in the 18th century AD due to a plague. Under Portuguese rule, it was a city of nearly 200,000 people, and the spice trade was carried out across the Portuguese East Indies. The deserted city, containing churches and convents of outstanding architectural and religious importance, has been declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. Today, Old Goa is a site of tourist consumption, with many majestic buildings, including churches and convents, that are thronged by tourists and worshippers. The place is also home to several museums, including the Archaeological Museum and Portrait Gallery, and the Museum of Christian Art