Fort Aguada (Goa): photos and reviews. Forts of Goa Archeology of India about Fort Aguada

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-distance voyages, 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. Northern part The fort is now 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 settlement of Candolim 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 large selection 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 coastline and are separated from each other by 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 tourist groups and from Indian ones.

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 where underground passages also begin, 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 internal steps. 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 indelible impressions 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 those who are bored with the local beaches tourists or lovers of ancient citadels, but also true fans of the art of Bollywood.


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 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 a 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 views and amazes with the scale of its territory, where today both tourist sites, and prison cells, and a five-star hotel. And of course, having taken the time to get to know Aguada, you should not miss the opportunity to visit the oldest lighthouse in the Asian part. The structure reminds India of the past and at the same time remains 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

But it turns out, for example, in the same GOA there is not only sand, sea and sun, but also historical fortifications.

The grandest and one of the best preserved forts in the state, Aguada, was built by the Portuguese at a strategic position at the mouth of the Mandovi River in 1612 to protect against attacks by the Dutch and Marathas. Occupying the entire small peninsula on the southwestern edge of the Bardes region, this fort was once the most valued and key element of the Portuguese defensive system. In their better days its battery consisted of 79 guns.

Aguada originally consisted of a main fortification on top of a hill and several coastal bastions. One of them, at the southern end of Sinquerim Beach, has now been converted into a five-star resort owned by the Tata family, while the other, facing Goa's capital Panaji, is the state's only functioning prison. The main fortification is surrounded by a deep, dry ditch around the perimeter for additional protection.

In the Middle Ages, the source of food water available on the territory of the fort was used to replenish supplies of passing ships, for which Aguada served as a stronghold on the route. This is where the name of the fortress came from - in Portuguese, “water” sounds like “agua”.


In 1864, the Portuguese erected a four-story lighthouse on the territory of the upper fortification, the oldest structure of this type in Asia.

In the mid-20th century, under the rule of dictator Salazar, the northern lower bastion of the fort was rebuilt into a prison, used primarily to hold political opponents of his reactionary regime.

Today, Goa's only functioning prison houses a large number of foreigners convicted of drug-related crimes. They say that there is no longer enough space in the cells, and new prisoners are being transferred to prisons in neighboring states.

Getting to Fort Aguada is very easy - it is located on the southwestern tip of the Bardes district, in the area of ​​​​Sinquerim Beach. One of its lower bastions is located right on the beach, the second, almost destroyed, can only be reached on foot along the path along the coast or from the popular Sunset Point site (in English it roughly means “sunset viewing point”), located a few hundred meters to the west the upper fortification, behind the modern active lighthouse, and the third bastion, the one in which the prison is located, was erected on the southern side of the hill, and is reached by an asphalt road that goes around the entire hill clockwise. Along the same road, which branches halfway, you can get to the main citadel of Fort Aguada, the lighthouse and Sunset Point, in the vicinity of which there are real peacocks.

On the north side of the fort is a rampart made of red-brown laterite, which extends into the bay, thus forming a causeway between two small sandy bays. This beautiful place known as Sinquerim Beach. The Fort Aguada resort, which is one of the most expensive in India, dominates the beach from the lower slopes of a precipitous peninsula.

The fortress ruins can only be reached by following the road from the Taj village, and then turning right at the sign. Nowadays, most of the fortress is a prison, and therefore there is no access to visitors. Nevertheless, the fortress is worth a visit, if only to admire beautiful views from the top of the hill where the four-story Portuguese lighthouse is located. The lighthouse rises on one side over the vast expanses of sea, sand and palm trees of Calangute Beach, over Cabo Raj Bhavan or, as it is also called, Cabo Palace over the mouth of the Mandovi River, and on the other, at the tip of the Marmagao Peninsula.



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Forts in Goa are a must see in Goa, you don’t have to visit them all, but at least one or two is highly desirable! Beaches are beaches, shopping is shopping, and you have to see the ancient ruins, where strange white people in funny hats and with spears once ran. If only because there are too many attractions in Goa, and you can take amazing photographs in the forts! We climbed almost all the forts of Goa with Maxim, below is information on how to get there, where they are, plus photos and reviews. Historical facts And I won’t bore you too much with the dates; if you’re really interested, you can find them on Google.

Fort Aguada in North Goa

If you are staying in Candolim or Calangute, the easiest way to get to Fort Aguada is nearby, on the cape. south of the beach Candolim and Sinquerim, at the mouth of the Mandovi River.

Driving along the main road from Candolim, you reach an intersection and turn right. Just a little bit - and Fort Aguada! You won't miss.

The views there are stunning, the fort itself is very large, consisting of several parts. Entrance is free, there are usually a lot of tourists, mostly Indian. There is also Senquerim Beach, where you can swim. But the waves on this beach are usually big.

View of Fort Aguada


And this is Fort Aguada inside

And I'm on the fort wall

Chapora Fort in North Goa

But it will be easier to get to Chapora for those staying in the Siolim area. If you live in Arambol or Anjuna and have your own transport, the distance to Chapora is also ridiculous. Tourists are also taken there; there are Europeans, Russians, and Indians. Getting there on your own by bike is easy and quick.

The Chapora fort is almost completely destroyed, with only a few walls and fortifications remaining. But what is worth climbing this fort for is the stunning views of Morjim, and on the other side of Vagator and Chapora.

I strongly advise you to change into shoes suitable for hiking. The slope to Chapora is steep, it is slippery, the stones crumble, we saw several people who fell unsuccessfully.

Walls of Chapora Fort

And another wall

Beach view


Fort Tiracol

Tiracol is located on the northern border of the state of Goa. Next is the state of Maharashtra. If you go to Tirakol Fort, I advise you to combine the trip with exploring Redi Fort and famous beach Paradise.

Tiracol is a restored fort, it is clean, well-groomed, painted, and there is even a hotel. The fort itself is small, you can walk around it in a few minutes. Entrance is free, there are security guards, in general, everything is civilized, which is even surprising for India.

Church in Fort Tiracol

The walls of Tiracol have been restored

This is me in the turret from where the fort soldiers were shooting back

Fort Cabo de Rama in South Goa

Fort Cabo de Rama made the strongest impression on us! If you consider all the forts in Goa, Cabo de Rama is the most exciting. An extraordinary place! It will be a long way to get to the fort from North Goa, although many people travel, especially if they have their own transport. Fort Cabo de Rama, huge and dilapidated. But there is still an atmosphere of antiquity, mystery and belligerence there.

I advise you to go to the Cabo de Rama fort as early as possible. It will take you three hours to walk around the entire territory. If you go at lunchtime, the heat on the mountain will be unbearable. But you definitely need to go around the entire fort and not limit yourself to a small piece designed specifically for tourists.

The supporting wall of the fort is long and long. We went through it all

To be honest, going around the entire Cabo de Rama fort is not easy!

Ancient fort cannon

Remains of some buildings

Sea view from the Cabo de Rama fort


Redi fort

The correct name for this fort is Yashwantgad. But it is better known as Redi Fort, named after the village located nearby. Redi Fort is not located in Goa, but in the neighboring state of Maharashtra, but I included it in this article. If you are vacationing in North Goa, it's worth getting to the fort. He is extraordinary! Huge, ruined, entwined with the roots of old trees, in vines and bushes, with caves and wells - the views are mesmerizing!

Redi Fort is located in the forest, so there is shade and you can explore the fort at any time, even in the heat.

If you drive a few more minutes, you will get there. There you can already relax and swim. I advise you to take food with you, something that does not spoil quickly - bananas, roti flatbreads. A trip to Ready Fort and Paradise Beach usually takes at least half a day, if not the whole day.
However, we didn’t take anything except water. But we didn’t go hungry – we had a bite to eat from a local cafe in the nearest village.

This is the only place to make movies!

Path through the dilapidated Redi fort

There are also well-preserved parts of the fort

Roots and branches tightly entangled the remains of the walls of the Redi fort

My Tomb Raider)

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    Impregnable fortress Aguada, which appeared on Goa map dating back to the time of the Portuguese, it is perhaps the most “historic” landmark in the state. Situated on the edge of Candolim Beach, the fort is considered one of the best preserved fortified structures in Goa. It is probably for these vaunted fortification qualities that part of Aguada is still used as a prison. (They say that a considerable number of foreign tourists, serving time for something that is not customary to use, distribute, and even - mind us! - to pronounce in vain).

    The 17th century fort was built of red stone on the very shore of the sea, at the entrance to the Mondovi River delta. Moreover, the fortress carried two important functions at once - the protection of the city of Old Goa, the capital of the Portuguese colony, and as a storage facility for fresh water. Today, part of Fort Aguada can be safely visited from 10 am to 6 pm (although if you offer the guards 30-50 INR, they can be allowed in after hours). The main attraction is the old lighthouse from 1612, which, alas, is no longer operational.

    Prices on the page are as of November 2019.

    Near the fort, on Sinquerim beach, one of the most luxurious hotels in Goa - Taj Fort Aguada Goa - is located freely.

    Situated on the edge of Candolim Beach, the fort is considered one of the best preserved fortifications in Goa.

    Address: Fort Aguada Rd, Candolim, Goa. How to get there: there is only one road to the fort, starting in Candolim - this is, in fact, the main street of the village. Drive all the way, don't miss the fort. If you turn right at the crossroads near Aguada itself, you will get to the coastal structures from the beach, and if you turn left, you will come to the main building of the fortress.

    Aguada Fort is one of the largest and best preserved forts in Goa. It, like many others, was built by the Portuguese in 1612 to protect against attacks by the Marathas and the Dutch.

    The fort is strategically located very favorably at the mouth of the Mandovi River to protect the then capital of Old Goa. Thus, there is a wonderful view from any point of the fort.


    The fort is divided into two parts - lower and upper. At the top there is a unique ancient five-level lighthouse 13 meters high. It is the oldest of its kind in all of Asia!


    It was built in 1864, and the lighthouse was closed in 1976, but, as various sources say, the lighthouse initially ran on an oil lamp (On this moment near the fort There is a working lighthouse and you can climb there).


    At the top there is also a huge well with several underground springs. There was a lot of water there, as much as 2,376,000 gallons (that’s almost 9,000,000 liters!). Ships used this water when sailing to long voyages. It is thanks to these fresh water springs that the fort owes its name, as “aguada” means “water” in Portuguese. The lower part of the fort is now a working prison. As you know, many foreigners end up there for drug fraud. Oh, the prisoners of this prison are lucky, because not every criminal can boast of a view of the sea.

    The walls of the fort are 5 meters high and 130 cm wide. It is not surprising that he was never captured. But that is not all. A dry ditch was dug at the foot of the fort, which remains insurmountable to this day. And in the old days, the fort could boast of 200 cannons!

    Next to the fort stands the snow-white Church of St. Lawrence - the Saint of Sailors. On the territory of the church there is a small snow-white gazebo, from which you can see beautiful view to the fort and to Panaji. Opposite the church, traditionally, there is a Catholic cemetery.


    view of the Church of St. Lawrence from Fort Aguada

    Opposite the fort there is Helipad. But more often than helicopters, rave parties and bike races happen here.

    On the territory of the fort there is one of the most expensive and famous hotels Goa - Taj. There are two five-star hotels of this chain in Candolim - Taj Fort Aguada and Taj Holiday Village, separated from each other by a small roadway.


    P.S. This fort is very popular among Indian tourists, along with Chapora Fort. Admission is free from 9.30 to 17.30.

    P.P. S. Water is our everything. Without water there is no life. Apparently the creators of this fort shared the same opinion.

     

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