Old Goa

Since archaeological interest in Old Goa developed, during the late 19th cent., various initiatives related to the conservation of its buildings and ruins have taken place. The most comprehensive and consequential initiative to date is the plan of 1959, drawn up by a group of Goan and Portuguese personalities led by Ismael Gracias and put fourth by the last colonial governor, Vassalo e Silva.

Although only partially carried out, many of the issues that the 1959 plan addressed remain pertinent, given the renewed and continued interest in Old Goa’s heritage. One of the critical aspects of the plan was the adaptive reuse of Old Goa’s heritage buildings. The Pius X Institute, an interesting example combining adaptive reuse and new construction, has its roots in this plan.

Interestingly, archaeological excavations in Old Goa - after a brief activity in the early 20th century - have only occurred in the last two decades, while many of the known archaeological sites in and around the abandoned city are being threatened and submerged by development. The only systematic excavations occurred on the site of the vice-roy’s palace, the Brahmapuri underground sacred tank and the Augustinian convent. This last monumental group of ruins has been recently musealized and is one of Old Goa’s popular tourist attractions.

In this paper, besides describing the Gracias / Vassalo e Silva plan of 1959 and some of the conservation and musealization interventions in Old Goa since, I will elaborate on new ideas and opportunities regarding heritage issues in Old Goa