The Madragoa the district dates back to the 16th century, as a local housing for slaves . Originally was called Mocambo.
Only later with the establishment of women clerics related to the city of Goa in Portuguese India, this district began to be known as Madres de Goa (current Madragoa).
Over the 17th and 18th centuries there were established convents and monasteries of various religious congregations.
Since the 19th century this district became the dwelling place of traditional varinas, women from Aveiro region engaged into the fish trade.