Away from the beach resorts of Goa is the interesting town of Old Goa. Old Goa was the capital of Goa in the time of Portuguese rule and it was said to be as grand as Lisbon. You would never guess that looking at it today. The city was abandoned in 1843 and the capital moved to Panaji, the present day capital of Goa.
[Church of St Francis Of Assisi and Se Cathedral]
All that remains today is a collection of churches and cathedrals. What is striking about Old Goa is all the open space between these historic buildings, which you do not see in other Indian cities. A highlight of Old Goa is the Basilica of Bom Jesus, which houses the well preserved remains of St Francis Xavier, who died in 1552 on the Island of Sancian, off the coast of China.
[Tomb Of St Francis Xavier]