Forts of Goa. Forts of Goa How to get to Redi Fort from Goa

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 for defense coastline. The upper one was for servicing the fort, it housed a storage facility drinking water. 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 from the main road from Candolim if you drive in a southerly 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, and a well for mining 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.

From the top there is a beautiful view of 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; reconstruction, unfortunately, has not been carried out. 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 a 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.

Fort Tiracol is located in the most northern point 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 the tourist areas of 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 the 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. The Cabo de Rama fort 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 the 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.

Which is not located in Goa at all, but in the neighboring state of Maharashtra. Not all tourists reach Redi Fort; many are not at all interested in it, and most simply do not know about its existence. The walls of the once impregnable fort have been swallowed up by the jungle and every year nature takes away everything that man has conquered from it; I have already seen something similar in Cambodia.

Why go to a dilapidated fort, which is located God knows where? Everyone has their own reasons for this. Some people go to Redi Fort for peace and solitude; here you can meditate or have a good photo session. Others stop by Redi Fort on the way to the famous Paradise Beach, but there are also those who come to Redi Fort to see all the greatness of nature and see how it is restored after the presence of people, this is clearly visible here.

History of Redi Fort

The real name of the Redi fort is Yashwantgad Fort, which is what it was called during construction, and the word Redi stuck to the fort because of the nearby village of Redi.

It is believed that Redi Fort was built in the 16th century by the Maharajas of the Sawant clan and was a strategic site.

In 1746, the omnipresent Portuguese took control of the Redi fort and for them it was also a necessary object due to its valuable strategic position on the coast. The Indians made attempts to recapture the fort, but they all failed.

For some time (after the peace treaty, probably the Portuguese knew much more than the Indians) the fort was returned to the Sawant clan, but the Indians did not rejoice for long. In 1765, Ready Fort was captured again, this time by the British.

In 1890, the lands on which the Redi fort stands were sold to peasants with one caveat - ownership of the fort remained with the British.

Today, Redi Fort is almost completely captured by the jungle and partially destroyed, but the fate of Redi Fort could have been a little different. If you look at the neighboring forts, where luxury hotels are successfully operating, then Redi Fort has a much greater chance of becoming truly luxury. There is a small pleasant beach at the foot of the fort and Paradise Beach can be reached by foot (wading) or by boat.

How to get to Redi Fort from Goa

Redi fort is located a few kilometers from the north beach Goa - Kerim. Most tourists who travel from Goa to Redi Fort choose one of two possible roads, either through the Kerim - Tiracol ferry crossing or through the newly built bridge. All .

There are signs along the entire length of your trip (especially on the highways), but as you turn off the main road towards the village of Redi, the signs become completely rustic, where there is an arrow on a stone and indicates the direction, and where there is just an arrow and the inscription “Redi fort". In any unclear situation, ask the locals for directions; the more often you do this, the faster you will get to Redi Fort.

Some tourists are smarter and combine the trip by Paradise Beach and a trip to Ready Fort in one trip. And you can do it alone in a simple way, come either to Paradise Beach or to Ready Fort and wade across a small river, the water there is waist-deep, if you walk and look for the ford lazily, you can negotiate with the fishermen and they will ferry you across the river, be sure to bargain.

Ruins of Redi Fort

The road came to a dead end where there was a parking lot for mopeds. There's a good one next to the parking lot clean beach, which, like the fort, has the name Redi. There are no people on the beach, the water is clean and very warm.

Before I had time to park the moped in an impromptu parking lot, near the impromptu entrance to Redi Fort (in fact, there is just a well-trodden path leading somewhere into the jungle), a guide from local residents immediately introduced himself to me with an insistent desire to give a tour. It is not clear what the responsibilities of this guide are, but walking around Redi Fort alone is much more pleasant.

The appearance of the fort's buildings is grandiose and mysterious, much is similar to the Cambodian ruins of Khmer temples, and the buildings are made of the same materials.

If you climb the fortress wall, you can gaze at the village outskirts, which are surrounded by greenery, and the houses of local residents are hidden under the crowns of coconut palms.

On the opposite side you can see Paradise Beach - the main goal of my trip.

Redi fort consists of several rings of fortress walls, behind which dilapidated buildings made of laterite are hidden. From a defensive point of view, the Redi fort is made very competently; it has several circles of fortress walls, a deep ditch around the perimeter, watchtowers, a water storage tank and other devices for the long-term defense of the fortress.

Some buildings of the fort are completely captured by vegetation, but there are also those that are trying to resist Mother Nature, who will win this battle, I think it’s clear.

In some places, plaster and inscriptions in Russian have been preserved, most of which are clearly not suitable for native speakers of this language.

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 voyage, especially for those coming from. Here the sailors could rest and get drinking water necessary for their further journey.

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 locality 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 wide range 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 of the coastline and are separated from each other at 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 countries tourist groups, and from Indian.

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 they begin underground passages, 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 tourists who are bored on local beaches or lovers of ancient citadels, but also real fans of the art of Bollywood often come to see the building.

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. The cost of land excursions around the state 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 wide choose items related to yoga, 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 the 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 interior itself. old lighthouse 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

Lost among the exotic thickets and palm trees is the small and inconspicuous Aguada Beach of Goa. It is located between North and South Goa. Right on the border. True, there is one peculiarity heavenly place- the beach is located near the fort mountain.

Fort Aguada itself gives an unforgettable feeling of antiquity and centuries-old grandeur. The stone walls of the old building go straight into the sea. The beach here is special: rocky and extremely beautiful. There is also a large lighthouse there. Visiting these places is absolutely free. Fort Aguada, the main attraction of this place, was built by the Portuguese for protection and defense against advancing enemies. Impregnable fortress Aguada in Goa still delights with its power and beauty.

The incredible sunset at Fort Aguada attracts the eye and encourages inward contemplation. The place itself is one of the few where you can walk inside and outside without any obstacles. Everything is open and accessible. There's a lot to see. But you should not go on a tour of Fort Aguada during the day, as it will be very hot. It is better to visit this place early in the morning or in the evening.

The most popular time to travel to Aguada Goa is from October to March. But you can come any time and still enjoy it unforgettable vacation. The water temperature in Aguada Goa ranges from 29 to 32 degrees.

From Dabolim airport to Aguada in Goa it is about 50 km. Therefore, taking a taxi will be the easiest way to get there. There are quite a lot of such cars there and it won’t be difficult to find a willing driver to take you to any place. The cost of a taxi will cost about 2000 rupees (2000 rubles). It is better to order a taxi before , this is a nearby beach.

But we saved and looked for cheaper ways. The cheapest way was the bus. But before you decide to take such a trip, you should be patient and have cool water. We had three transfers along the way. We decided to go by bus and, first of all, crossed the road from the airport. There we caught a bus to Vasco da Gama. Having arrived at the place, you must immediately look for transport to Panaji. And from there you can safely reach Aguada in Goa. Travel time will not be wasted. Many local people willingly communicate with visitors and ask about everything in the world. They are very friendly and open. Such interesting people. You can't get to the beach by train. The nearest station is located 20 km from Aguada.

Aguada is the only beach in Goa where the sandy shore was filled local residents. It is created artificially for relaxation. Along picturesque coast There are hotels and bungalows. Finding where to stay in Aguada Goa is not difficult. You just have to walk along the beach and look the best option for myself. That's what we did. Found the most attractive paradise and stopped for the night. This place is called . Of course, the hotel is expensive and fabulous, but unlike the others, it is located in good location, from where you can see Fort Aguada and a beautiful sunset. The room cost from 3000 rupees (3000 rubles). Nestled in vegetation, shrouded in exotic fragrant flowers and incredible birds. Even monitor lizards walk around its surroundings. This hotel in Aguada Goa has a restaurant with live music and delicious seafood. The area is so calm that it seems like we are completely alone here. Peace within and around surrounded us all. In such hotels it is better to choose rooms with balconies.

For those who want to stay in a less expensive place and still enjoy a large tropical garden, then it is worth choosing a bungalow. No one will remain indifferent, because nature itself promotes a good mood.
You can consider a hotel, where a room costs from 1000 rupees per night. The place is good and beautiful.

Aguada Hotels, Goa

We ate at the hotel itself. Everything you needed was there and the prices were reasonable. Lots of seafood Buffet, included breakfasts and romantic dinners. But you can also eat on the Aguada Goa beach itself. In the evenings, the owners of the bungalows place tables and chairs along the shore and serve beautiful dinners. There are always candles, decorated dishes and carved vegetables and fruits. And what fresh juices and smoothies there are, simply delicious. There are also simply benches with fruits, savory nuts and cool water. In hot weather, they sell coconut milk from freshly picked coconuts taken from a palm tree by the buyer. There are also shops in Aguada Goa. But mostly Indian sweets and spices are sold there. Every visitor will remain full and satisfied, because the place itself feeds with its beauty and uniqueness. I fell in love with a place in Aguada Goa called Tonis Beach Shek. The food there is delicious and the staff is friendly.

As elsewhere in India, in Aguada Goa, bargaining is honorable and prestigious. You just need to name your price. There are many shops around with national jewelry, souvenirs and clothing. There are many paraphernalia for yoga and fishing. On Aguada Beach Goa you can rent a boat and swim in clean waters Arabian Sea near the coast. The most interesting shopping can be considered souvenirs associated with the fort itself. But you shouldn’t expect any special uniqueness from the products. Almost everything is the same everywhere. If a tourist buys a beautiful sari and walks around Aguada Goa in it, the locals will look with delight and nod approvingly. They like it when visitors accept their way of life.

Of course, the most popular place in Aguada is the Aguada Goa Fort and lighthouse.

There is now a prison on the north side of Fort Aguada. This territory is busy keeping the worst prisoners within its walls. Don't worry about safety. There have been no escapes in Indian memory. The walls are so strong that they still hold up defenses inside and out. You can spend about three hours walking around the area. It is better to do this early in the morning or in the evening at sunset. During the day there are a lot of people and it is very hot. Also, some brave tourists try to climb onto the River Princess ship. But it is life-threatening. If you walk along the small beach of Aguada Goa, you can easily get to the neighboring one. . It is located three kilometers from Aguada.

When tourists rent a moped, a lot becomes available. Immediate and attractions can be visited every day. We used Ayurvedic services and massages on site, but there are also a lot of separate places. Any visitor will be able to use the services of professionals according to his taste and budget. Yoga and meditation practices on this beach are especially good. The place is calm and secluded, nature itself whispers about silence and harmony inside and around.

Another place worth visiting in Aguada Goa is the Basilica of Jesus. This church was the first to be built in Goa and is a UNESCO heritage site. Beauty and spirituality enveloped the shrine. It is worth at least looking at this attraction, as well as indulging in prayers. Afterwards we went to church immaculate conception Virgin Mary. She also turned out to be very beautiful. Aguada beach itself offers various services: windsurfing, boating, fishing, diving and much more.

Nightlife in Aguada is unlike other beaches North Goa. There is a special atmosphere, live music and parties dedicated to special dates. Everything has its own meaning and fulfillment. The place is amazing.

Aguada– this is one of the largest and most impressive Goa forts, preserved to this day. Fort Aguada was built on a peninsula, which gave it an excellent opportunity to protect the mouth of the Mandovi River and thereby prevent enemy ships from penetrating deep into Portuguese territories.

The Portuguese who captured the part were most afraid not of the local population, but of other Europeans. So, for example, in 1604, the Danes, despite the resistance of the forts, Gaspar Diaz and, broke through to the mouth of Mandovi and burned quite a large number of Portuguese ships. In 1606, the Danes returned and settled near the mouth of the river, thus blocking the entrance to it and significantly reducing the military potential of the Portuguese. In response, the Portuguese, maintaining a constant defense, built their fort(1609 – 1612, reign of King Philip II the Pious).

Fort Aguada (“aguada” means “water” in Portuguese) was built according to the project Italian military architect, whom the Portuguese government hired in Lisbon. According to this project, the port was built in two parts: the first, a large fortress, was located on a hill and was connected to the second, coastal part, with fortified overground and underground passages. Both parts were surrounded along the perimeter by another, wide outer wall with watchtowers. These walls have practically not survived, although their ruins can still be found in the area.

Main fortress It has a square shape, which is slightly distorted by three massive bastions at the corners. There is an entrance in the fourth corner. In front of each of the bastions a deep ditch(without water), and the main gate was narrow, overlooked a steep bank and had a strong door sheathed with iron. The fortress's embrasures were wide enough to provide a wide angle of fire. The maximum was here at the same time two hundred guns!

Fort Aguada is distinguished by the fact that underneath it there is a huge water tank, which can hold 2,376,000 gallons (more than 10 million liters). It has five compartments, and its vault is supported by sixteen large columns. The cistern is filled from natural sources of fresh water, which are still active (the largest is called “Mae de Agua” - “Mother of Waters”).

The coastal part of the fort is currently located jail, which can only be viewed from the outside.

First lighthouse was built in the fortress in 1864 - 250 years after its foundation. However, it is considered one of the oldest in all of Asia. The lighthouse was used until 1976, when its functions were transferred to a new, more modern lighthouse, built not far from the walls of the fortress (you can also climb onto it and admire the surroundings).

Inside the fort there is small church, dedicated to Our Lady, the patroness of travelers, in which sailors prayed upon arrival and before departure. Outside the walls there is an interesting statue - a man with a child in his arms and a woman breaking chains. It is dedicated to all those who died in the struggle for Indian independence from foreign invaders.

Nearby attractions: St Lawrence Church, Nerul Church,

Useful information about Aguada Fort in Goa

Location:

Northern part of Goa, on a peninsula across the strait (river) from

How to get there:

Bus stop “Sinquerim Bus Stop‎”
West of National Highway 66
Nearest port "Ferry Jetty"

Address:

Fort Aguada road, Goa
India, Fort Aguada road