Arch of Viceroy, Triumphal arch in Old Goa, India
The Arch of The Viceroys, also known as the Viceroy's Arch, is a laterite stone gateway in Old Goa, North Goa district, standing at the bank of the Mandovi River. It features a large rounded arch flanked by columns in a European style, with sculptures on both faces and a Latin inscription carved into the stone.
The gateway was built in 1597 by Dom Francisco da Gama, grandson of Vasco da Gama, to mark his appointment as governor of Portuguese India. For centuries it served as the main entrance to Old Goa along the Rua Direita before the capital moved to Panjim in the 19th century.
The arch once served as a ceremonial entry point for viceroys arriving by ship from Lisbon. The side facing the river still displays a statue of Vasco da Gama holding a sword, giving visitors a direct visual cue to the symbolism of Portuguese rule.
The gateway sits in Old Goa near the Se Cathedral and the Basilica of Bom Jesus, making it easy to visit on foot as part of a walk through the area. Going early in the morning tends to be a good idea as the site is quieter and the light falls well on the stone surface.
The arch collapsed during a monsoon and was rebuilt in 1954, but without its original third story. The statue of St. Catherine of Alexandria that once decorated the structure is now kept in a museum rather than displayed on the arch itself.
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