Largest Fortress in Goa – Aguada Fort

Strategically built in 1612 at the estuary of the river Mandovi, the Aguada fort, is the largest and the best preserved fortress in Goa! It was built to guard against the Dutch and the Maratha invasions.

Entering the fort....

Fort Aguada was the most prized and crucial fort of the Portuguese. It is so large that it envelops the entire peninsula at the south western tip of Bardez! And is located 18 kilometres away from Panaji.

Inside the fort!

History of the fort

The walls of the fort are 5 metres high and 1.3 metres wide. And it was protected by two hundred cannons and a deep dry moat, which we had to cross to reach the inside of the fort. No wonder it was the only fort which was not conquered by any invaders during the 450 year regime of the Portuguese in Goa.

The moat and the high ramparts 

Dangerous terrain

There is freshwater spring within the fort which provided water supply to the ships that used to stop by to replenish their fresh water stores!

At the center of the courtyard, lies a huge underground reservoir with a capacity of nearly 2.25 million gallons of water. It was one of the biggest freshwater vaulted cistern of that time in Asia. "Agua" in Portuguese means water. Thus "Aguada" denotes a place where water is accumulated and the fort was aptly named ‘Aguada fort’

The massive water reservoir!

This fort is divided in two sections: the upper part comprised of a moat, underground water storage chamber, gunpowder room, light house and bastions. It also has a secret escape passage to use during time of war and emergency. The lower part served as a safe harbor for the Portuguese ships.

On the ramparts, behind the fort, is the famous Fort Aguada Beach Resort, a five star hotel, owned by the Tata group.  It is part of an 88 acre (360,000 m²) complex, situated on Sinquerim beach, overlooking the Arabian sea.

View of the Arabian sea

Picturesque view from the fort

A part of the Aguada fort has been transformed into the Central jail too, which happens to be the largest jail in Goa.

The exit...

A view of the St. Lawrence church (Saint of the sailors) from this fort is very picturesque!

The distant view of the church

Oldest lighthouse in Asia!

Last December, we accompanied, Vanaja, my cousin from Hyderabad and her family on a tour to some of the famous places in North Goa. And we visited the oldest lighthouse in Asia!

The gigantic lighthouse!

This 13 metre high, lighthouse, is located inside the mammoth Aguada fort* and has guided many ships, from the European shores to Goa. Built by the Portuguese in 1864, the four-storey lighthouse, is the first of its kind in Asia! Initially an oil lamp was used (must have been an enormous one!) in this lighthouse which was later renovated.

At close quarters...

It overlooks the Arabian sea and is located 18 kilometres from Panaji, the capital city of Goa.

The Arabian sea view

At the initial stage, the lighthouse used to emit light once in 7 minutes. In 1834, it was changed to emit light creating eclipse every 30 seconds, however it was abandoned in 1976. In 1890, a smaller lighthouse named, ‘The Aguada Beacon' was built on the Mandovi river banks.

Picturesque setting: Sun, Sea and The Church of St. Lawrence at a distance

Witnessing the magnificence......

A gigantic bell retrieved from the ruins of the St. Augustine Church at Old Goa was placed in this lighthouse. However, later, the bell was moved to the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception church at Panaji.

Reaching this lighthouse is a light trek. The sheer height of this lighthouse is amazing. The view of the Arabian sea from the fort is refreshing!

Reaching the summit!

* To be continued.....