Old Goa, a Portuguese colonial area Old Goa is a historical city in North Goa, constructed by the Bijapur Sultanate in the 15th century, it served as the capital of Portuguese India from the 16th century until its abandonment in the 18th century due to plague. The remains of the city are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The population was roughly 200,000 by 1543. Malaria and cholera epidemics ravaged the city in the 17th century and it was largely abandoned, having a remaining population of just 1,500 by 1775. It was then that the viceroy moved to Panjim. Old Goa continued to be the de jure capital of Goa until 1843, when the capital was then shifted to Panjim. The abandoned city came to be known as "Velha Goa" (in Portuguese, 'Old Goa'), to distinguish it from the new capital Nova Goa (Panjim). Velha Goa was incorporated into the Republic of India in 1961, together with the rest of Goa. Old Goa contains various churches, including the Se Cathedral (the seat of the Archbishop of Goa), the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, the Church of St. Caetano, and notably, the Basilica of Bom Jesus which supposedly contains the relics of St. Francis Xavier. We visited St. Augustine's Tower & complex, then the Gandhi Statue. Our entire group celebrated my birthday at Dondrino's Restaurant right on the beach. Lisa and I were given flashing light up bows to wear and I received a beer and a real espresso. We all shared chocolate cake.
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