Fort Aguada
Fort Aguada was constructed in 1612 on the bank of Mandovi River to protect the attack of sea enemy or Harmad.
Aguada Fort is in north Goa, very close to the popular Candolim beach. It sits on a hill at the confluence of the Mandovi River and the Arabian Sea and offers fantastic panoramic views. On a clear day, you will be able to see up to Panaji on the other side of the river.
Aguada is an old 17th-century fort that was constructed by the Portuguese to control the ship movements from the harbor and prevent attacks by the Dutch and Maratha. It is now the best-preserved fort in Goa. See the lighthouse that was the first in Asia, ammunition room, military barracks, moat, and the cannons. And of course, enjoy the stunning views. You can hike down to the lower section of the fort, which is in the northern end, and also reach Kaurati’s Caves. There is a lot to see around the fort as well.
History Of The Aguada Fort
Portuguese colonial rulers constructed the fort just south of the Candolim beach in 1612. It is one of the largest forts in western India. The site was chosen strategically by military architects. It stands on a small hill at the confluence of the river and sea, an ideal site to watch approaching enemies from both the land and sea and get an early warning. It was constructed to prevent attacks by the Europeans and Maratha rulers.
The most feared threat came from the Dutch in 1604. The Cabo Fort, Gaspar Dias Fort, and Reis Magos Fort all failed to stop the attackers. Eventually, the Portuguese were able to ward off the Dutch, but not before they had burned down several ships and houses, causing grave loss. The Dutch attackers came back 2 years later, in 1606, and established a settlement at the entrance of the Mandovi River, which prevented the entrance and exit of ships from the harbor.
In response, the Portuguese started constructing the Aguada Fort in the territory they controlled to restart port operations and prevent further attacks. The construction was completed in 1612. A deep moat, military barracks, ammunition rooms, and a lighthouse were erected within the premises. This was the first lighthouse in Asia. There used to be a huge bell in the lighthouse, which was later moved to the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church in Panaji. 79 cannons were also placed at fort Aguada to strengthen the defense.
But the Portuguese could not hold on to it. The British wanted a vantage point to prevent possible attacks by the French, and eventually took it over in 1799.
- There are steep walls that face the sea, and a dry moat towards the landside.
- 2 parts – Lower fort, and Upper fort.
- 79 cannons lined up the rampart in its heydays.
- Double-walled fort.
- There are 2 gates and a gatehouse to prevent attackers from breaching the outer wall.
Fort Aguada – Quick Facts
| Where is Fort Aguada located? |
In north Goa, 16.9 kilometers from Panaji and 5.2 kilometers from the Candolim beach. It sits on a hill where the Mandovi River meets the Arabian Sea. |
| Who constructed Fort Aguada? |
The Portuguese rulers in Goa to prevent attacks by the Dutch and Maratha. It was erected to protect Goa against both land and sea attacks, control ship movements to and from the harbor, and provide fresh water to the ships. |
| When was it made? |
Construction started after the 1606 attack by the Dutch. Completed in 1612. |
| What is inside the fort? |
A deep and dry moat, ammunition room, military barracks, 200 cannons, freshwater spring, water storage chamber, and lighthouse. |
| The lighthouse |
Built in 1864 by the Portuguese, this was the first lighthouse in Asia. The light could be seen from far away into the sea and from Aldona in Bardez and Mapusa in the night. Initially, the lighthouse used to emit light once every 7 minutes. This was changed to 30 seconds in 1834. The 4-storey lighthouse is not in use anymore. A second lighthouse was erected later. |
| Freshwater springs |
There are 3 freshwater springs within the premises, which provided fresh water to the military and passing ships. There is a huge underground chamber at the center for storing water, covered by concrete slabs. 2376000 gallons of water could be stored here, making this one of the largest storage facilities in Asia at the time. This section is not accessible for the tourists. |
| Central Jail |
A jail was constructed later in the 19th century. Still operational, the jail houses those sentenced in narcotics cases. It is beside the river at the bottom of the fort. |
Aguada in Portuguese means “water”. So the fort gets its name from the water all around – Mandovi River and the sea, and also the freshwater springs within the fort.
Location
Fort Aguada Location: Sinquerim Beach, Goa 403515, India
Fort Aguada – The Two Parts
Aguada Fort can be divided into two parts,
The Upper Fort – Most tourists would visit only this part. Cross the moat to enter this section. You will reach a huge compound where you can see the gunpowder room, cannons, water storage chamber, and the bastions. The lighthouse is at the farthest end of this compound. Climb up the ramparts to catch stunning river and sea views. Go right to reach the new lighthouse.
The Lower Fort – The lower section of the fort extends to both the north and south. The southern part now has a jail where those accused of selling drugs, trafficking, and narcotics abuse is kept. So, there is nothing to see here. The northern end extends all the way to the neighboring Sinquerim Fort. You have to hike through hills and forests to reach here. You will pass through many scenic areas like Devil’s Finger, Bear’s Claw, and Kaurati’s Caves. It is challenging, but worth it. Earlier, Portuguese ships used to berth in the lower sections to collect fresh supply of water,
Architecture – Aguada Fort was constructed with laterite stones, which is available at many places in Goa. Its design was brought from Italy. The walls around the fort have a height of 5 meters and thickness of 1.3 meters.
Gallery
Top 5 Reasons For Visiting The Aguada Fort
- To learn about Goa’s rich history.
- To see military architecture.
- Fort Aguada was erected at a strategic location, and commands exceptional views of the Mandovi River, Arabian Sea, and the city of Panaji.
- The first lighthouse in Asia.
- To watch a glorious sunset over the sea.
Fort Aguada is open between 10 AM and 5:30 PM. Last entry is at 5 PM.
Visiting Hours
You can visit all seven days of the week from 9:30 in the morning to 6:00 in the evening. You will need around 2 hours. If you go around 4:00 PM you can end your trip with a stunning sunset view,
There is no entry fee for the fort. It is absolutely free.
What To See Nearby
There are many other attractions close to the fort. The Candolim beach is just 5.2 kilometers from Aguada. Beyond this are Calangute and Baga. The city of Panaji is just across the Mandovi River. You can visit the Reis Magos Fort, which is close. The LPK Waterfront Club and Sinq are both close to Aguada Fort. They are two of the most popular nightclubs in Goa.
Rent a Villa near the Fort
There are many good places to stay close to the fort. You can stay at Candolim, Calangute, or in the Nerul area. Candolim and Calangute have some of the best villas for rent in Goa. These are all luxury properties with private swimming pools, manicured lawns, en-suite bedrooms, well-equipped kitchen, air-conditioning, and many resort-quality amenities. The villas in Nerul are close to the LPK Waterfront Club and a mangrove area, which is the home of many birds.
Villas for rent nearby:
Luxury 3-bedroom villa with its own private pool. Great river view and centrally located! From 18 000 Rs. per night. |
Large family villa in quite area of North Goa. Private pool. Complete privacy. From 19 000 Rs. per night |
Luxury villa with direct access to the beach. 5* star service. Prime location of North Goa. From 19 000 Rs. per night |
* Price depends on arrival dates and duration of stay.
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