Vasco Da Gama

Vasco Da Gama is an important town that is located in south Goa district in the Marmagoa Taluka. It is located at a distance of around 30 kilometers from Panaji, the capital city of Goa. The location of Vasco Da Gama is such that it overlooks the Zuari River. It was one of the busiest ports on the west coast of the Indian sub continent when the Portuguese acquired it in 1543. Today, Vasco De Gama is a busy shipping center where huge container vessels come to deposit raw materials and other items. Tourists travel to Vasco da Gama to explore the famous Bogmalo beach, the ports, Naval Aviation Center, etc.

It is a small city in the state of Goa on the west coast of India. It is named after the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. Vasco has Goa's largest population, estimated at over 100,000. It is also the headquarters of the Mormugao taluka. The town lies on the western tip of the Mormugao peninsula, at the mouth of the Zuari River, about 30 kilometres (19 mi) from Panaji (Panjim), Goa's capital, and about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from the Dabolim Airport (GOI).
The place was founded in 1543, and remained in Portuguese hands until 1961, when Goa was annexed to India. The Indian Navy's Goa Naval Area (base) is located at Vasco from which it controls Dabolim airport and, in effect, the entire tourism-dependent state of Goa.
There have been aborted attempts in the past to change the name of the city to Sambhajinagar.[1]

Named after celebrated Portuguese voyager Vasco da Gama, this city is a major commercial hub of Goa. Located on the narrow western tip of the Mormugao peninsula, Vasco da Gama has prospered because of the leveraging of its strategic location. The Portuguese conquered the city in 1543 and within a short span transformed it into a bustling port throbbing with maritime trade.

During its heydays under the Portuguese, Vasco da Gama was on the verge of becoming Goa's capital and frantic construction activities ensued towards that end. Even tough the plan was subsequently scrapped; Vasco still retains its old grandeur courtesy the well laid out downtown.

The city of Vasco is bereft of any major tourist attractions, the salient monument being the 400-year old St. Andrews Church located at the entrance of the city. However the Naval Aviation Museum nearby the city center is a popular tourist spot and is the only such museum in India. It profiles the evolution and history of Indian naval aviation through aircraft exhibits and rare photographs.

The excellent communication infrastructure has given a boost to tourism in Vasco da Gama. The Dabolim airport, Goa's only airport, is located 4 km from the Vasco city. Moreover it is also a key shipping center and a major railhead.

Vasco da Gama was never physically associated with Goa or the conquest. Still he finds himself amongst the ex-Portuguese colony, in a city named after him.

Mormugao Harbour is the face of Vasco da Gama, which has been depicted in numerous movies, which have equated the beauty of Vasco with that of entire Goa. Crystal clear blue water bay, towering palms, pleasant sunshine and cool ocean breeze mark the city of Vasco from others.

Being the host to the Dabolim Airport, Mormugao Port as well as the naval base, Vasco is the hub of activities and is busier than the rest of the state. The Zuari River, has witnessed numerous historical events and still flows quietly reminding Vasco of its rich past. Numerous towering Portuguese monuments enthrall the crowds with their superb architecture and grandiose.

Numerous attractions such as the Pilot Point, Movie location (Gregory Peck and Roger Moore starters), Japanese Garden, Shri Durgamata shrine, Naval Aviation Museum etc. await at the Vasco city.

29 km south west of Panjim, on the narrow western tip of the Marmogoa Peninsula is Vasco da Gama. Overlooking the Zuari river, it's a city that is named after the famous Portuguese sailor, Vasco da Gama. The history of the place states that the Portuguese got hold of it around 1543 and within a span of few years converted it into one of the most sought after ports of India. A fort was constructed at Sada so as to easen up the task of monitoring the movements of ships into the Zuari river. The fort played an important role during the year 1685 when the Maratha king Sambhaji marched in with his army to capture the place. The Portuguese, worried about the safety of their women and children, used the fort as a safe haven.

Around this time, plans were also made to shift the capital city from Old Goa. Vasco, or rather Marmugoa, was a strong contender for the post. The Viceroy of the time, D Fransico de Tavora was in favour of Vasco becoming the capital city of Goa. For this purpose, numerous construction work were carried out. Viceroy's Palace, offices and warehouse sprung up to take care of the needs of future. However, the plans came to an abrupt end when the court of Lisbon scrapped the plans of making Vasco as the capital of Goa. This was despite the fact that Vasco is the only city in entire Goa that is well connected by all means, both within and outside the state. It is the only city that has an air, rail, road and sea links.

Today, Vasco exudes all the charms of a metropolitan city. People from all over India have made Vasco da Gama their home. The town of Vasco is well planned. It is laid out straight with parallel roads connected to each other by smaller bylanes.

Being a commercial hub, Vasco is more liked by business class people. It provides good connectivity and also has a number of good hotels to stay in. However, if you come to Vasco thinking that there are a number worth visiting sites, then probably you'll end up a bit disappointed. This is not to say that there is absolutely nothing at all to see and do in Vasco, but perhaps they are few and numbered.