Old Goa is famous for churches made during the Portuguese rule, because which was the capital city during the Portugal rule. It gained height of fame during the Portuguese rein. Old Goa grew in size and splendour in the 16th century. Before the arrival of the Portuguese on the Goan shores, it was the capital of Sultan Adil Shah of Bijapur. During their time also this place was alive and prosperous. After defeating the armies of the Sultan, the Portuguese led by Alfonso de Albuquerque started building their empire around Old Goa. But the outbreaks of epidemics like cholera and malaria made the city highly inhospitable and the Portuguese moved their capital to Panaji in 1843. Today there was not much remains of the past. The remnants of the fort and other structure give a faint idea what this place must have been. The churches, monasteries, convents and temples remind who of the administrative capital of the Portuguese who nearly lost the place to the British and the Dutch.
The Portuguese colonised Goa for 450 years and this unique blend of Portuguese and Indian culture is evident in its architecture, mix of religions, cuisine and social structure. There are the colonial old quarters, the magnificent Mansion Houses built at the height of the Portuguese rule and Old Goa, built as a testament to the Portuguese wealth and power. Today the churches made this place make it the world heritage centre. You were able to see most churches built during the Portuguese rule stood fairly well over a period of time, withering a little bit in between, undergoing some repair every now and then. The architecture of the churches was different from the modern churches. Accorded the World heritage site status by UNESCO, the opulent buildings and churches of Old Goa today reminds one of the grandeur of a bygone era.