Viceroy's Arch - Historic Gateway to Old Goa

The Viceroy's Arch stands as a historic gateway to Old Goa, located near the Mandovi river. Constructed from laterite stone, this triumphal arch was the main street entrance to the city for those arriving by ship. Its design is distinctly European, featuring a central archway flanked by decorative elements. On the side facing the river, you'll see a statue of the navigator Vasco da Gama, while the side facing the city has a statue of St. Catherine of Alexandria, to whom the nearby Se Cathedral is dedicated. Visitors walking through the area will pass under this arch to get to the Adil Shah Palace jetty or the ferry terminal. The arch is not a destination where you spend a lot of time, but rather a significant landmark that forms part of the larger historical complex of Old Goa. Look closely at the walls for inscriptions in Latin that detail its history and purpose. The structure offers a tangible connection to Goa's colonial past and serves as an excellent starting point for exploring the surrounding UNESCO World Heritage sites.