Old Goa encompassed a vast area and had a population of 2, 00,000 (twice the size of today’s capital of Panjim). The city was also referred to as the ‘Rome of the Orient’. As if cursed since birth Old Goa suffered violent outbreak of deadly diseases like Cholera, Malaria, plague.

Jun 11, 2017 · The Goa Medical College and Hospital, established as Escola Medica-Cirurgica de Nova Goa almost two centuries ago, traces its conception to a spate of epidemics in Old Goa.

However, when plague and cholera epidemics started to ravage the city, people began to move out, and by 1775 only 1,500 people remained. This abandoned city came to be known as Velha Goa (Old Goa) to distinguish it from the new capital Nova Goa (New Goa - Panjim).

Feb 25, 2015 · Along with poor sanitation, the city underwent epidemic after epidemic of malaria, cholera, and typhoid fever . Roughly every 10-15 years a major epidemic would strike, killing the majority of the population of the city.

Malaria and cholera epidemics ravaged the city in the 17th century and it was largely abandoned, only having a remaining population of 1,500 in 1775. It was then that the viceroy moved to Panjim.

6 days ago · Cholera epidemics were one of the chief reasons for the migration of the inhabitants from Old Goa to Panjim. Between 1695 and 1775 the population of Old Goa dwindled from 20,000 to 1,600; in 1835 the city was inhabited by only a few priests, monks, and nuns.

Apr 24, 2024 · During the mid-16th century, almost all religious orders had their headquarters in the city of Old Goa. During the 17th century, epidemics ravaged the city. Soon the city began to decline. By...

Nov 24, 2024 · In its heyday before an epidemic hit Old Goa in 1570, it was also the headquarters of the Jesuits in Asia. The church was then found to be inadequate for its growing needs. Gomes Catao writes that it was rebuilt with three main chapels that had small boat-shaped vaults.

During its halcyon days, Old Goa became famous as the "Lisbon of the East." But soon recurring outbreaks of epidemics like cholera and malaria made the city highly inhospitable and the Portuguese moved their capital to Panaji in 1843.

Epidemics of cholera and malaria decimated the population, while monsoon rains and local flora took care of the buildings. The town is still the Christian heart of the area and the only buildings that survived the tooth of ages and were not ruined are Goa's churches.