Fort Aguada Goa History, Architecture, Timing, Information All you need tyo Know In 2024

 Fort Aguada – In 1612, the fort was first built to defend against the Dutch. At the time, ships coming from Europe used it as a reference point. On the shore of the Mandovi River, south of Candolim, is this historic Portuguese fort. In the beginning, it was task with protecting ships and the nearby Bardez sub-district.

The ships that used to stop by got their water from a freshwater spring within the fort. The fort got its name from this Aguada is the Portuguese word for “watery.” Frequently, the crews of nearby ships would stop by to replenish their freshwater supplies. The oldest lighthouse of its kind in Asia is the 1864-built Aguada Fort Lighthouse. It was build in 1612 and serve as the grandstand for 79 cannons. It is one of Asia’s largest freshwater storage facilities at the time, with a capacity of 2,376,000 gallons.

There are two parts to this fort: The lower portion was a secure berth for Portuguese ships, while the upper portion served as a fort and watering station. In addition to having a moat, an underground water storage chamber, a gunpowder room, a lighthouse, and bastions, the upper portion also has a secret escape route that can be use in times of war or emergency. At the beginning, the lighthouse is use once every seven minutes to produce light.

Fort Aguada

Fort Aguada is a massive and magnificent citadel that has been a part of Goa’s landscape for approximately 400 years. One of Goa’s most popular tourist attractions is the fort and its lighthouse. Fort Aguada can be found in Candolim, a popular tourist destination in North Goa. From here, you can see the Arabian Sea and the surrounding areas in awe. When you leave your Goa hotel for a sightseeing trip, you should definitely include this seventeenth-century fort, which is the pinnacle of Portuguese architecture and heritage.

Aguada Fort is the pinnacle of the Portuguese legacy in Goa and is known as the largest water reservoir in Asia. Over 400 years ago, this fort was build. Due to its mesmerizing beauty and extensive history, Fort Aguada never fails to pique the interest of tourists. Along with the magnificent fort, you can see the stunning intersection of the Mandovi River and the Arabian Sea, as well as an old lighthouse. One of the best places to visit in Goa is the hilltop fort of Aguada, despite its lack of the splendor of earlier times.

It is a popular tourist destination in the area because of its stunning architecture and breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea. While visiting the Party Capital of India, it’s also a great spot to watch the sunset. Perhaps of the most rich lodging in Goa, to be specific the Taj Stronghold Aguada Resort and Spa, is additionally housed inside the post walls. A statue honoring Goa’s freedom fighters is located in the fort at the moment. On June 18 of each year, a ceremony is held within the fort grounds to remember and honor the brave individuals who gave their lives for Goa’s freedom.

Fort Aguada Details

click here:- Kangra Fort Himachal Pradesh 

History

The Portuguese, who were in charge of the region at the time, started building Fort Aguada in 1609. Under the direction of Viceroy Ruy Tavara, construction continued for the next three years and was completed in 1612. In Portuguese, the word “aguada” means “freshwater,” and the fort gets its name from a freshwater spring inside. It is document that sailors use to use this spring’s potable water to replenish their supply.

The purpose of building Aguada Fort was to protect the Portuguese stronghold in Goa from Maratha and Dutch invasion. It became the Portuguese’s most prized fortress in the seventeenth century due to its location at the mouth of the Mandovi River and the Arabian Sea.

Within the boundaries of the fort, a four-story lighthouse was constructed in 1864. Thanks to the lighthouse, the fort continued to serve as a reference point for ships coming in from Europe for a considerable amount of time after that. The lighthouse was finally decommissioned in 1976, and it is currently closed to the general public. The Aguada Lighthouse, on the other hand, has recently been constructed within the fort grounds. It’s interesting to note that the fort’s grounds also contain a jail that was frequently used under Salazar, Portugal’s 100th prime minister. It is one of the few Indian forts that has never been taken over by an adversary.

Architecture

The magnificent example of Portuguese military architecture known as Aguada Fort Laterite stone, which was abundant in Goa, was use in its construction. The upper and lower portions of the fort are divide into two sections. The upper section was design as a massive watering station and fort. The lower portion provide the Portuguese rulers’ ships with a secure berth. Walls as wide as 1.3 meters and as high as 5 meters surround the fort. The fort is surround on three sides by bastions, with a gateway facing the Mandovi River on the fourth side.

Aguada Fort once had the capacity to store 2,376,000 gallons of water and was one of Asia’s largest freshwater storage facilities. A moat, bastions, and a gunpowder room are other features of the fort. A secret passage that was constructed to assist the fort’s occupants in escaping in the event of a war or emergency is one of the fort’s most appealing architectural features.

check:- Lohagad Fort Maharashtra History

Things to See in the Fort Aguada Complex

Aguada Fort holds a lot of attractions for travelers, which include the following:

• The lighthouse
• The series of prison cells
• The colossal water reservoir
• The ammunition room
• Church of St. Lawrence, located on the outskirts of the fort (about 1 km)

Lesser Known Facts about Fort Aguada

• The lighthouse at Fort Aguada is the oldest one of that’s kind in the entire continent of Asia.
• The lighthouse initially made use of oil lamps to guide the ships out in the sea by emitting light in every 7 minutes of. Later in 1834, that is was upgrade to emit light in every 30 seconds.
• At one time, a gigantic bell adorn the lighthouse that it was salvage from the ruins of the Church of St. Augustine in Old Goa. This bell was later shifted to the Church of Immaculate Conception in Panjim it.
• The aguada fort has serve as the location for various Bollywood films, including Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa starring Shahrukh Khan and Golmaal and Singham, both starring Ajay Devgan.
• The fort was the grandstand of 79 cannons in that.
• The Church of St. Lawrence stands in close vicinity to the Aguada fort. That was build by the Portuguese to prevent the enemy soldiers from firing at the fort at a close range.

Attractions near Fort Aguada

• Sinquerim Beach (3.2 km)
• Sinquerim Fort (3.2 km)
• Rocky Beach (3.6 km)
• Candolim Beach (5.2 km)

Restaurants and Nightclubs near Fort Aguada

Some of the best restaurants, pubs, and nightclubs in Goa are locate in the near Fort Aguada area. Our suggestions include this:

• Cohiba Bar and Kitchen (2.2 km)
• Sinq Nightclub (3 km)
• Soi – Authentic Goan Restaurant (3 km)
• Tuscany Gardens (3.1 km)
• Shivers Garden Restaurant (3.2 km)
• Bomra’s (3.5 km)
• Calamari Bathe and Binge (4 km)
• Café Chocolattis (4 km)
• Fisherman’s Cove Bar and Restaurant (4.7 km)
• The Lazy Goose (5.5 km)
• LPK Waterfront Nightclub (6 km)

Symbol of Protection

Now disappear in the folds of time, once upon a time that was a symbol of hope for Portuguese sailors who dreamt of trading spices in the konkan coast and protecting themselves from naval fight of European nations.

Several attacks from Dutch Squadron in 1604 and 1606 led to the construction of this grand Aguada Fort in 1609, which was complete during the time of Dom Filippe’s rule in 1612 under the Viceroy of Ruy Tavara.

Timing

check:- Jaigarh Fort Jaipur History

Best time to visit

When you are planning to visit Aguada Fort, September till March month is the best time to come here. The fort is open from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm, so try to go at this time to visit. The monsoon season is the best time because of that’s picturesque view. The complete tour would take around 2 hours to get finished the complete fort.

Reviews

The most prized and crucial Portuguese fort was Fort Aguada. At the southwestern tip of Bardez, the fort is so large that it covers the entire peninsula. Base on the mouth of Mandovi Waterway, it was decisively found and was the main protection of Portuguese against the Dutch. Between 1609 and 1612, the Portuguese construct the Aguada Fort. Even though most of the fort has been destroy, people still visit it. The Dutch and Marathas attempt to invade India, so the fort was built. Perhaps of the most rich lodging in Goa, to be specific the Taj Stronghold Aguada Resort and Spa, is additionally housed inside the post walls. A statue honoring Goa’s freedom fighters is located in the fort at the moment.

Aguada Fort is more than just a structure; A significant portion of Goa’s history was shape there. Even if you are not interested in history, you can still take in the fort’s scenic beauty and take some stunning pictures of the grand citadel against the roaring waves of the Arabian Sea.

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