Goa - Gate to the Palace of Adil Shah in Old Goa

Friday, April 10, 2015

This is again all that stands.

This beautifully sculptured stone structure was the  Gate to the Palace of Adil Shah. 

It is located within the premises of St. Cajetan Church.

History states that here stood Adil Shah summer palace cum fortress. It was conquered by the Portuguese and used it as rest house by the Portuguese Viceroy's. As per Portuguese Tradition the new Viceroy who came down from Portugal stayed here. He got the ceremonial keys to the city of Old Goa at Viceroy Arch from the exiting Vicery. The exiting Viceroy too stayed here  before he shipped off to Portugal. 

This palace was also called as Idalcaon Palace. The Palace was abondaned due to an epidemic in the 18th century. The Palace was demolished somewhere in 1820. 

Again, if anyone has photos of how this palace used to look prior to its demolition, please share with me. Thanks

Goa - Viceroy Arch in Old Goa

Monday, March 30, 2015

This is all that stands today, called the Viceroy Arch. This was the restored in 1954. 

This Arch was built somewhere between 1597 to 1600 by Viceroy Francisco da Gama (Governor of Goa). He is the Grandson of Vasco da Gama, the famous explorer to land on Goan shores. 

The Arch was built as a memorial for the achievements done by Vasco da Gama.  The Arch I believe was built then as it looks authentic but the walls were restored later. Bricks (chire)  was used in its restoration on the wall around the Arch. 

If you check the Arch closely  it has the statue of Vasco da Gama on the River side (Mandovi River) and that of the Argonaut on the side of St. Cajetan Church. As per the inscription next to the Arch.