I’m super excited to share with you my experience of visiting Aguada Fort and Lighthouse in Goa. It was one of the highlights of my trip and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves history, nature and stunning views. If you’re planning a trip to Goa, make sure to add Aguada Fort and Lighthouse to your itinerary. This historical site is a must-visit for anyone who wants to learn more about the region’s rich past and soak up some stunning views.

Aguada Fort is a 17th-century Portuguese fort that overlooks the Arabian Sea and the mouth of the Mandovi River. It was built to protect Goa from Dutch and Maratha invasions and also served as a water reservoir for ships. The fort has a four-storey lighthouse, which is the oldest of its kind in Asia and was once used to guide ships in the dark.

Among the most popular forts in the country, Aguada Fort in Goa is also a lighthouse. The 13-metre-high Portuguese lighthouse, which stands in the middle of Fort Aguada, was built in 1864. Prior to this, ships were guided into the safe harbour by means of huge bonfires that were lit on the ‘Hill of Pilots’ above the place where the Church of Immaculate Conception now stands in Panaji.

Fort Aguada, constructed in 1612, was the most prized and crucial fort of Portuguese overlooking the Arabian Sea. Built on the mouth of river Mandovi, it was strategically located and was the chief defence of Portuguese against the Dutch and Marathas. The fort is so large that it envelops the entire peninsula at the southwestern tip of Bardez.  It was a reference point for the vessels coming from Europe at that time. A freshwater spring within the fort provided water supply to the ships that used to stop by. This is how the fort got its name: Aguada, meaning the watering place.

I visited the fort and lighthouse on a sunny afternoon and was amazed by the beauty and grandeur of the place. The fort is surrounded by lush greenery and has a moat, ramparts, bastions and cannons. The lighthouse offers a panoramic view of the sea and the coast. I spent a couple of hours exploring the fort and taking pictures of the scenery.

The rocky headland, with the Aguada fort on top, known as Aguada Point, is 80 metres above the sea level. The lighthouse is the oldest of its sort in Asia. It initially used an oil lamp. I am wondering at the size of the oil lamp! 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.

This lighthouse also once contained an ancient bell, retrieved from the ruins of the St. Augustus monastery at Old Goa; however, this bell was removed later and it is now housed in the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church, Panaji. Wherever it was hung it must have deafened the lighthouse keeper.

The old lighthouse dominates the landscape of the fort from a distance. A broad and shorter cylindrical structure that tapers upwards to a narrow point. Situated in the upper part of the fort, the lighthouse wasn’t allowed to be climbed.

The upper portions of the fort, however, can give a good idea of the views that are possible from the lighthouse. The popular historical structure has been featured in many movies too! The view of the Arabian sea from the fort is refreshing!

Overall, visiting the Aguada Fort and Lighthouse is a fantastic way to spend a day in Goa. The fort offers a glimpse into the region’s rich history while also providing stunning views of the Arabian Sea. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking involved, but it’s definitely worth it!

I really enjoyed visiting Aguada Fort and Lighthouse in Goa and I hope you will too. It’s a great place to learn about the history and culture of Goa and to admire the beauty of nature. If you ever get a chance to visit Goa, don’t miss this amazing attraction!