Forts of Goa. Fort Aguada (Goa): photos and reviews What to see, useful information for tourists

The Indian Fort Aguada in Goa is the largest fort that has survived to this day. It was built to protect the mouth of the navigable Mandovi River from enemy ships. Occupies a vast area on the cape, south of Candolim Beach.

Built in 1612 year, it is a monument of Portuguese military construction and a legacy of Goan history. The fort consisted, according to the plan, of two parts: the upper - fortress, lower – coastal part. They were connected to each other by overground and underground passages. The fortress itself has a square shape with deep ditches dug near the bastions. The fortress's embrasures provided a wide angle of fire.

There is a fortress on the territory 1864 was built four-story lighthouse. It is considered one of the oldest in Asia. Used until 1976. Then a modern lighthouse was built near the fortress, which still operates today. By visiting this place, tourists will be able to visually inspect both the old and new lighthouses.

Peculiarity Fort Aguada also in the fact that under it there is a huge water tank. Its capacity is approximately 10 million liters and it is filled from natural sources. Here passing ships could replenish their supplies with drinking water. Literally translated from Portuguese “aguada” means “water”.

In the coastal part of the fort there is a prison, which is the only functioning prison state of Goa. It can only be viewed from the outside. It is clearly visible from the water or from the fortress.

In the vicinity of the fort there is large number peacocks But when they see a person, they most often run away. Therefore, tourists should keep their cameras at the ready if they do not want to miss a great shot. The fortress itself offers a magnificent view. The area around is covered with dense vegetation. Nearby is helipad, built in the 80s. It is known for periodically hosting large parties.

Fort opened from 10-00 to 18-00. To get to the lighthouse and fortress, you need to take a taxi or rent a motorcycle. This place is reached by a road called Fort Aguada Road and also the main street of Candolim. Tourists can easily view part of the fort from the Sinquerime beach, which can be reached on foot.

Accommodation possible in hotel rooms of any category or rented houses. And even for particularly picky tourists, in the territory adjacent to the fort, on a hillside surrounded by tropical forest, there is the famous fashionable hotel Fort Aguada Beach Resort.

Nearest food stations located on the beaches of Sinquerim and Candolim. Cafes and restaurants will offer an excellent menu with dishes of Indian, European and many other cuisines. Some cafes are equipped with showers for the convenience of tourists.

Aguada Fort is one of the largest and best preserved forts in Goa. It, like many others, was built by the Portuguese in 1612 to protect against attacks by the Marathas and the Dutch.

The fort is strategically located very favorably at the mouth of the Mandovi River to protect the then capital of Old Goa. Thus, there is a wonderful view from any point of the fort.

The fort is divided into two parts - lower and upper. At the top there is a unique ancient five-level lighthouse 13 meters high. It is the oldest of its kind in all of Asia!

It was built in 1864, and the lighthouse was closed in 1976, but, as various sources say, the lighthouse initially ran on an oil lamp (On at the moment near the fort There is a working lighthouse and you can climb there).

At the top there is also a huge well with several underground springs. There was a lot of water there, as much as 2,376,000 gallons (that’s almost 9,000,000 liters!). Ships used this water when setting off on long voyages. It is thanks to these fresh water springs that the fort owes its name, as “aguada” means “water” in Portuguese. The lower part of the fort is now a functioning prison. As you know, many foreigners end up there for drug fraud. Oh, the prisoners of this prison are lucky, because not every criminal can boast of a view of the sea.

The walls of the fort are 5 meters high and 130 cm wide. It is not surprising that he was never captured. But that's not all. A dry ditch was dug at the foot of the fort, which remains insurmountable to this day. And in the old days, the fort could boast of 200 cannons!

Next to the fort stands the snow-white Church of St. Lawrence - the Saint of Sailors. On the territory of the church there is a small snow-white gazebo, from which you can see beautiful view to the fort and to Panaji. Opposite the church, traditionally, there is a Catholic cemetery.

There is a helipad opposite the fort. But more often than helicopters, rave parties and bike races happen here.

On the territory of the fort there is one of the most expensive and famous hotels in Goa - the Taj. There are two five-star hotels of this chain in Candolim - Taj Fort Aguada and Taj Holiday Village, separated from each other by a small roadway.

P.S. This fort is very popular among Indian tourists, along with Chapora Fort. Admission is free from 9.30 to 17.30.

P.P. S. Water is our everything. Without water there is no life. Apparently the creators of this fort shared the same opinion.

In the first decades of the 17th century. Its construction was carried out by the Portuguese, who then controlled these lands. The new building was erected in 1612 for several purposes. The first of these was the protection of the capital of the Portuguese possessions - Old Goa - from attacks from the sea. At that time, the Dutch and Marathas caused a lot of concern among the Portuguese. For defensive purposes, almost eight dozen cannons were installed along the entire length of the fort’s fortifications.

Another function that the building performed was the storage of fresh water. This explains the origin of the name known today - Aguada. The basis for it was the Portuguese word água - water. Aguada's purpose-built reservoirs had a total capacity sufficient to store 2,376,000 gallons of fresh water. Fresh water springs located nearby made it possible to constantly replenish supplies. In this regard, the Aguada fortress became one of the important points for sea ​​vessels long-distance voyages, especially for those coming from. Here the sailors could rest and recruit drinking water necessary for further travel.

In 1864, a lighthouse was erected in the fortress, rising four floors up. It also becomes an important landmark for passing ships: it initially shone every seven minutes, but was later improved to be able to signal every 30 seconds. The lighthouse continued its work for many decades - until 1976, after which it was replaced by a more modern one. Today it continues to exist and is considered the oldest lighthouse on the territory, which has made it a popular tourist attraction.

In the mid-20th century, during the period when Prime Minister António de Salazar held actual power, the southern part of Fort Aguada was converted into prison cells. Initially, they held mainly political prisoners - oppositionists to the Salazar regime. Later, the cameras were used for other lawbreakers. This prison is still in operation today, so tourists are not allowed access to all areas of the fortress. According to the Indians themselves, not only local criminals are serving their sentences in these cells, but also many foreigners who come on vacation and have violated any Indian law.

In 2013, extensive restoration was carried out on the part of Aguada's buildings that is open to visitors. The northern part of the fort today is occupied by the Vivanta by Taj Fort Aguada 5* hotel, which is one of the most luxurious in this part of the state.

How to get there

Formally, the structure is located on the territory of the Candolim settlement in the north of the Indian state. Through all populated area The Fort Agauda Road passes through, following which you can get to the structure. The fort itself is located on a hill near the coast of the Arabian Sea and the Mandovi River, in the very south of the settlement. The easiest way to get here is by private car or taxi, as there are regular routes public transport they don't go here. However, the upside is that Candolim has a large selection of accommodation options for travelers, so finding a hotel closer to the fort and its beach will not be difficult.

Fort Aguada on the map

Inside the fort

The structure has quite impressive dimensions: its buildings occupy a significant part coastline and are separated from each other by a certain distance. Because of this, Aguada for a long time had the status of the main Portuguese fort. Entrance to the territory open to visitors is free for everyone. This is one of the reasons that there are always a lot of people walking around the building, both from foreign tourist groups and from Indian ones.

The main part of Fort Aguada is divided into two levels. In the lower one, arriving vessels of different sizes could safely moor and remain parked. In the upper part there were several important rooms and internal structures. So, here you can see the moat protecting the fort, special chambers for storing large volumes of drinking water, halls that were used as warehouses for cannon powder and other ammunition, and bastions. This is also where underground passages begin, built in case the inhabitants of the fortress needed to leave it unnoticed. The lighthouse of Aguada also stands here.

Access to the very top of the lighthouse is open to travelers, but to do this you will have to overcome a considerable number of steps of the internal spiral staircase. But the view from the top of the Arabian Sea and the Mandovi River flowing into it is worth the effort: it leaves an indelible impression and allows you to take unique memorable photos. The new operating lighthouse, which replaced its predecessor, is also open for visits. You can find it nearby, behind the walls of the fort. In order to get to its upper platform, you need to pay about 50 rupees (about 50 rubles) or a little less than a dollar. It also allows you to admire the views of the sea, as well as see the main structures of Aguada from above.

More than once, Fort Aguada became the subject of filming Indian films. He has appeared in many films and television films in India since the last century. In this regard, not only those who are bored with the local beaches tourists or lovers of ancient citadels, but also true fans of the art of Bollywood.

Excursions

You can explore Fort Aguada either independently or accompanied by a guide. In both cases, it must be taken into account that the building is open to visitors from 10:00 to 17:30.

Aguada is included in the program of many excursions in Goa, both sightseeing and thematic, and can also become part of a boat trip. Thus, a program with access to the open sea on a boat or yacht, a visit to neighboring islands and fort on the way back will take about 9-10 hours and will cost from 45 dollars (about 2,500 rubles) per person. Price land excursions in the state it starts from 35-40 dollars (about 2,000 rubles) per person and depends on the extent and conditions of the program: some organizers offer travel by bus, some by jeep, and there are those who combine two types of transport.

Souvenirs

You can buy souvenirs not far from the fort itself. Here, along Aguada Beach, there are many street vendors and souvenir shops. Merchants offer figurines and other images of the Aguada fort and lighthouse itself, traditional clothing such as saris, and traditional Indian jewelry for men and women. Also on the shelves there is usually a wide selection of items related to yoga, and much attention is paid to fishing equipment. The latter become especially relevant, since right on Aguada beach you can rent a boat and go out to sea to fish.

When purchasing something from locals, bargaining is not prohibited. In these places this is perceived as normal and even welcomed. Sometimes, thanks to this, the price of a product can be significantly reduced - the product can be sold even two or three times cheaper than its original stated cost.

A trip to Fort Aguada is a great way to diversify your holiday on the sea coast of Goa. Here, not far from the beaches, you can get acquainted with history and see how European influence is tightly woven into the annals of India. The fort delights guests with its stunning views and amazes with the scale of its territory, where today tourist sites, prison cells, and a five-star hotel coexist. And of course, having taken the time to get to know Aguada, you should not miss the opportunity to visit the oldest lighthouse in the Asian part. The structure reminds India of the past while remaining a significant part of the present and future. And as one of the main landmarks of Goa, it has become an integral part of the image of the state and the entire state.

Business card

Address

Fort Aguada Road, Aguada Fort Area, Candolim, 403515, Goa, India

This article is about the fort in Goa. For the fort at Bandra, Mumbai, see Castella de Aguada.

Fort Aguada and its lighthouse is a well-preserved seventeenth-century Portuguese fort, standing in Goa, India, on Sinquerim Beach, overlooking the Arabian Sea.

1 Origin and History 2 Fort Aguada Beach Resort 3 Gallery 4 Links

Origin and history

The fort was built in 1613 for protection against the Dutch and Marathas. This was the starting point for ships coming from Europe at that time. This old Portuguese fort stands on the beach south of Candolim, on the banks of the Mandovi River. Initially it was tasked with protecting shipping and the nearby Bardez region to the south.

Fresh water in the fort provided a water supply to the ships that were used to stop. This is how the fort got its name: Aguada, meaning water. Crews of passing ships often visit to replenish their fresh water stores. The fort is dominated by the four-story Portuguese Lighthouse, built in 1864 and the oldest of its kind in Asia. Built in 1612 it was once a grandstand of 79 guns. It has the capacity to store 2,376,000 gallons of water, one of the largest freshwater storage facilities in all of Asia. This fort is divided into two segments: the upper part acted as a fort and watering, while the lower part served as a safe anchorage for Portuguese ships. While the upper part has a moat, underground water storage chamber, gunpowder hall, light house and bastions, it also has a secret escape passage for use in wartime and emergency situations. The lighthouse is initially used to emit light once every 7 minutes. In 1834 it was modified to emit light creating an eclipse every 30 seconds, however it was abandoned in 1976.

Fort Aguada was the most valuable and important fort of the Portuguese. The fort is so large that it envelops the entire peninsula at the southwestern tip of Bardez. Built at the mouth of the Mandovi River, it was strategically located and was the main defense of the Portuguese against the Dutch and Marathas.

During Salazar's administration, Fort Aguada was repeatedly used as a prison, most notably, some claim, for Salazar's political opponents. [citation needed] Many of his students are Western tourists serving time for drug crimes.

Panorama of Fort Aguada

Fort Aguada Beach Resort

Today Fort Aguada Beach Resort sits where the original fort used to be. The land around the fort is now owned by The Indian Hotels Co. On the ramparts behind the fort, Fort Aguada Beach Resort. The five-star, highly rated Tata-owned hotel is part of an 88-acre (356,000 m2) complex overlooking the Arabian Sea located on Sinquerim Beach. It is located 18 km from Panaji, Old Goa. Fort Aguada Beach Resort consists of a series of villas and cottages, 130 rooms, including 24 Terrace Suites. There are also nine restaurants and nearby beaches. In addition to aquatic species sports, there are places of recreation and entertainment for tennis, squash and mountaineering.

Gallery

The article has been automatically translated.

In the Indian tourist state of Goa you can find a large number of attractions. very interesting and intricate, throughout the territory there are a large number of historical sites that shed light on the past of the state. Goan forts are always of particular interest.

Aguada Fort

Fort Aguada is one of the most significant forts in Goa and perhaps the best preserved to this day. It was built in 1612 to protect the mouth of the Mandovi River from the Maratha people and the Dutch.

There were 79 cannons around the perimeter of the fort. The lower part of the fort was intended to defend the coastline. The upper one was for servicing the fort; it housed a drinking water storage facility. In this regard, sailors often visited the fort to replenish water supplies, hence the name “Aguada”, translated as “Water”. The 4-storey lighthouse of the fort attracts the most attention; it is the oldest lighthouse of its type in Asia. Now it no longer works.

The main part of the fort, where the lighthouse is located, is open to all tourists. In 2013, a complete reconstruction of this place was carried out. In the southern part of the fort, adjacent to the sea, there is a working prison. And in the northern part, adjacent to Sinquerim beach, there are the fort’s fortifications and the fashionable hotel Vivanta by Taj Fort Aguada 5*.

From the top platform of Fort Aguada there is a very picturesque view of the Mandovi River and.

Fort Aguada is located in North Goa on a cape south of Sinquerim. It can be reached by the main road from Candolim if you go to south direction. To get to the main structure, you should turn left at the intersection near the hill with the fort, and if you turn right, you can get to the coastal structures from Sinquerim.

Fort Reis Magos Fort

Fort Reis Magos is one of the oldest in Goa, about 50 years older than Aguada. According to various sources, it was founded in 1490 or 1551 by Adil Shah. Other sources say that the Portuguese, under the leadership of Alfonso de Albuquerque, destroyed the Muslim coastal outpost and built Fort Reis Magos to protect the territories in 1543.

In 1739, Reis Magos played a key role in containing the Marathas, who at that time captured the entire territory of the Bardez district, with the exception of the forts of Aguada and Reis Magos. On the territory of the fort there were 31 cannons, barracks, a prison, underground storage facilities, a well for extracting fresh water and a large number of secret passages.

Currently, the fort has been reconstructed and turned into a museum. Price entrance tickets is about 50 rupees. The territory of the museum complex is quite large. You can walk along the upper part of the fort, where the real cannons of those times stand.

Opens from above beautiful view to the Mandovi River and the city of Panaji.

At the bottom of the fort there was a prison; these premises are now open to the public. The rooms that used to be prison cells are filled with paintings illustrating Goa's past. In one of the rooms at the top of the fort there is also something like a gallery, which contains drawings and caricatures by Goan authors of the 20th century.

Fort Reis Magos is located just three kilometers from Fort Aguada, on the banks of the Mandovi River. To get to Reis Magosa from Candolim, you need to go towards the village of Nerul and turn right towards Coco Beach, then drive along the coastline all the way to the fort.

Chapora Fort

The fort was built on a high hill, in a place clearly visible in all directions, thanks to which it occupied an important strategic position and made it possible to observe the mouth of the Chapora River. Sometimes the fort is also called Shahpur. The fort itself was built over 500 years ago by Adil Shah Baijapur. In 1617 (and according to some sources in 1717) the fortress was captured by the Portuguese and reconstructed into a fort. The fort was captured by the Marathas several times before 1741. Chapora Fort was held by the Portuguese until 1890, when it was abandoned.

Currently, the fort is open to the public; unfortunately, no reconstruction has been carried out there. This fort is not as well preserved as other Goan forts. Today, only the defensive wall, entrances and monument remain. Nevertheless, the fort deserves attention, if only because it offers a simply stunning view of Vagator Beach, and on the other hand, of the Chapora River and the village of Morjim, located on the other side of this river.

Chapora Fort is located in North Goa near the village of the same name, at the confluence of the Chapora River. The village of Chapora is located just north of the large village of Vagator.

Fort Tiracol (Tiracol / Tirakol / Terekol / Terekhol Fort)

The exact date of construction of Fort Tiracol is unknown. In 1764, Fort Tiracol was reconstructed by the Portuguese. Tiracol has always been small fort. During the time of the Portuguese, it housed the Church of St. Anthony.

Currently, the entire fort area has been converted into the exclusive Fort Tiracol Boutique Hotel. As a tourist attraction, Fort Tirakol is not of particular interest, but the hotel restaurant offers beautiful views of Kerim and the Terekol River.

Tirakol Fort is located at the northernmost point of the state of Goa. To get to the fort, you need to constantly go north, all the way to Kerim, and then cross the Tirakol (Terekol) river along big bridge or by ferry. After the crossing you should go left.

Fort Korjuem (Corjuem Fort)

Korjum Fort is located deep in North Goa. It was built by the Portuguese in 1705. Once upon a time, Ursula Lancastre from Portugal, known for posing as a man for a long time, served here as a soldier. She understood that, being a woman, it was almost impossible for her to build a career, much less achieve success in the military sphere. Her plan was a success, and, pretending to be a man, she managed to travel around the world. In Goa, her deception was revealed, and she ended up marrying a guard captain.

The territory of Fort Korjum is not very large; it has not been reconstructed. To get to the fort, for example, from Calangute, you need to go towards Mapusa, then to Aldona. After Aldona you need to drive over the bridge over the Mapsa River and turn left, soon you will see Fort Korjum on the left side. To get to the fort from South Goa, you need to go towards Panaji, over the bridge over the Mandovi River, then Porvorim and turn right towards Aldona, then the same path.

Alorna Fort

Another fort located in the mainland of Goa, deep in North Goa. Fort Alorna is located on the banks of the Chapora River, far from the sea.

It was built in the 17th century. The fort is relatively small in size; it had 4 cannons. In 1746, Fort Alorna was captured by the Marquis of Castello Novo, also known as the Marquis of Alorna. In 1781, the fort was conquered by Dom Frederico Guilherme de Souza and was used to defend against attacks by the Maratha people from the north.

Currently, the fort is in an abandoned state, but, nevertheless, it is quite well preserved. As a tourist attraction, Fort Alorna is not popular, there are no tourists here, the place is very quiet and peaceful. Fort Alorna offers a good view of the Chapora River basin.

You can get to the fort by driving through the town of Mapusa, then Bardez, Revora. You need to cross the Chapora River. It is very easy to get lost in these places, so be sure to study the map before your trip.

Fort Nanus (Nanuz / Nanus Fort)

Nanus Fort is also located in the mainland part of the state, it is the farthest fort from the sea among all the Goan forts. This is the reason why there are no tourists here at all. The territory of the fort is small; only small parts of the fort have survived to this day.

Nanus Fort is located in North Goa, in the Satari district. The road to the fort can be quite long if you come from tourist areas Goa, for example, from Calangute. The Satari taluka is located in a remote area, bordered to the north by the state of Maharashtra and to the east by the state of Karnataka. Fort Nanus is located near the town of Valpoi, largest city Sattari district.

Fort Cabo da Rama (Cabo De Rama Fort / Cape Rama Fort)

Cabo Da Rama is the largest Goan fort, covering an area of ​​179,600 square meters. The fort is located in South Goa.

Kaba De Rama Fort (also known as Cape Rama) was founded in 1679 by Shivaj Maharaj, the Maratha king. The fort was named in honor of Rama, one of the earthly incarnations of the Hindu god Vishnu. The Indian epic Ramayana describes how Rama, along with his wife Sita, hid in these places. In 1763, the Kaba Da Rama fort was captured by the Portuguese and reconstructed. From 1932 to 1955, the fort's bastions served as a prison.

The fort is not very well preserved to this day. All that remains are the fortress walls and a platform on which several cannons from the Portuguese colonial times are installed. From this site there is an excellent view of sea ​​coast. There is also a functioning Church of St. Anthony on the fort grounds.

You can reach the fort from the north of the state via the NH17 road. You should turn right near the village of Balli, where there is a sign for road to Fatorpa, or a little earlier, near the city of Cuncolim. From the more southern part of the state you need to go towards Agonda. Fort Cabo de Rama is located between the beaches of Cola and Canaguinim.

Mormugao Fort

Another fort located in South Goa. A distinctive feature of the Mormugao Fort is that it was originally designed and built by the Portuguese, unlike most Goan forts, which were built on the foundations of already built Indian fortresses.

Construction work began in 1624. The Portuguese began to build a powerful fort on south coast Mormugao Bay in order to protect against possible attacks from opponents. From high rocky shore, chosen for the construction of the fort, the entire water area of ​​the Arabian Sea was clearly visible in both directions. The Goan Viceroy Don Francisco da Gama personally laid the foundation stone of the fort.

Between 1640 and 1643, the fort was able to withstand a siege by the Dutch fleet. In 1683, Portuguese territories were attacked by Sambhaji's troops. The troops of the ruler of the Mughal Empire, Aurangzeb, saved the Portuguese from imminent defeat. After this, Viceroy Francisco de Tavora ordered the transfer of the capital of the Portuguese colony from Mormugao.

In 1685, under the leadership of the Jesuit priest Teotonio Rebelo, the modernization of the fort began. It is assumed that at that time the Mormugao Fort was one of the largest structures of its type in the Portuguese colony. The length of the fortress walls was 10 kilometers. In total, the fort had 24 tower bastions armed with 54 cast guns. On the territory of Fort Mormugao there was a church, 3 armory warehouses, a small workshop for the production of gunpowder, guard barracks, and 5 prison premises. There were also 5 sources of drinking water, one of which had medicinal properties, due to the content of sulfur compounds.

In 1703, Mormugao Fort officially became the residence of the Viceroys and Governors of Goa. Mormugao was the capital until 1759, after which the capital was moved to the city of Panaji.

Unfortunately, such a powerful structure in the old days has been poorly preserved to this day. Now you can see only some sections of the fortress wall, a small chapel and two sources of fresh water.

Fort Mormugao is located in the northwestern part of Cape Mormugao, near the largest Goan city, Vasco da Gama.