Palácio do Cabo

Palácio do Cabo, now known as Raj Bhavan, is the official residence of the Governor of Goa, located in Dona Paula, North Goa. Built between the 16th and 17th centuries by the Portuguese, this sprawling 88-acre estate was originally constructed as a fortress to guard the entrance to Goa's harbor.

The fort offered strategic views of the Mandovi and Zuari rivers and the Arabian Sea, including the nearby Fort Aguada and port of Mormugao. Over centuries, the site evolved from a fortified complex with a church and convent into the residence of Portuguese governors, later serving as the Lt. Governor's residence before becoming the Raj Bhavan of Goa after it gained statehood in 1987.

Architecturally, it features Portuguese-Goan style with a double-storied mansion, grand verandahs overlooking water bodies, and antique interiors adorned with Bohemian chandeliers, Chinese porcelain, and exquisitely carved furniture. The estate also includes a historic chapel dedicated to Our Lady of The Cape, a place of worship and a landmark for seafarers. The palace underwent restoration in the late 1990s to preserve its heritage while maintaining its official function.