How a former Portuguese capital became the Rome of the East in India

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the sixteenth century, Goa emerged as a global hub for Catholic evangelization. Its religious monuments, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986, blend European architectural styles with the craftsmanship of local Goan artists, creating a unique cultural legacy that persists long after the end of Portuguese rule.

Founded in the fifteenth century by the Sultanate of Bijapur, Goa became the capital of Portuguese India in 1510 after being captured by Afonso de Albuquerque. During its Golden Age in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the city flourished as a trade center, eventually earning the title Rome of the East for its dense collection of grand Catholic buildings. These structures served as the primary base for Jesuit, Franciscan, and Dominican orders to spread Catholicism throughout Asia.

The architecture of these sites, including the Basilica of Bom Jesus and the See of Goa, reflects a sophisticated cultural exchange. While the designs followed European canons—such as the Manueline, Mannerist, and Baroque styles—the intricate interior decorations were the work of native Goan laborers and artists. This reliance on local skill meant that, unlike in colonial Brazil, there was no need to import African slave labor for the construction of these monuments. The Basilica of Bom Jesus, consecrated in 1605, remains a centerpiece, housing the silver-encased remains of Francisco Xavier, the Apostle of the East.

Economic shifts, including trade competition with the British and Dutch, alongside the Mandovi river becoming unsuitable for modern vessels, led to the city's decline. By 1759, the Viceroy relocated to Pangim, and Velha Goa officially lost its capital status in 1843. Following the 1961 annexation by India, the site has faced challenges in maintaining its original urban character. Modern development and landscaping have often isolated these buildings, turning a once-cohesive port city into a scattered collection of monuments, prompting ongoing international efforts to restore the area's historical spatial integrity.

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