Old Goa (
Konkani:पोरणें गोंय,
Pornnem Goem,
Adlem Gõi,
Goeam) or
Velha Goa (
Velha means "old" in
Portuguese) is a historical city in
North Goa district in the
Indian state of
Goa. The city was constructed by the
Bijapur Sultanate in the 15th century, and served as capital of
Portuguese India from the 16th century until its abandonment in the 18th century due to a plague. It is said to have once been a city of nearly 200,000 where from, before the plague, the
Portuguese traded across continents. The remains of the city are a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Old Goa is approximately 10 kilometres east of the state capital
Panjim.