Discover you way straight with the list of forts in Goa.

Goa is a perfect blend if Indian and foreign culture. Forts in Goa have their Portuguese look.

Besides the State being an international habitat famous for its long stretch of golden beaches and parties, a list of forts in Goamakes your trip to Goa a fascinating peek in its history.

There are forts in North Goa and forts in South Goa with distinct histories respectively. This is because Goa was a colony of foreign rules. The forts in goa are in reasonably good condition and are worth a visit. Here is a list of forts in Goa.

A visit to each city has a list of forts in Goa.

Forts don’t only tell us history; they have a story to tell. It is not how they were made but why they were made. To anyone fort is a fort. But at a closer look you would know the foresight of the rulers as per their time and the probable threat that was on their mind against enemy.

A list of forts in goa tells us the difference between the attitude and aptitude of rulers in forts in North Goa and forts in South Goa.

Most beautiful aspect being in Goa is, most of forts in Goa are near beaches.

1. Chapora Fort

The Charpora fort is located in Bardez with a view of the Vagator Beach, Ozran Beach, Morjim Beach and the Chapora River. The route from Mapusa and the Vagator beach lead to the fort. Being in the Northern region, Chapora is definitely a frequented spot. Amongst forts in north goa this one is also known as Shahpura, ‘town of shah’ in local lingo. It was a border watch post to oversee various Hindu raiders, assumedly in the 17th century.

They say it was built thrice, first in 1612, later conquered by Shivaji’s son Sambaji in 1683 A.D., and then by Bhonsle in 1739 A.D. The Portuguese finally took it over in 1741 till Goa’s independence. New underground tunnels were built for emergent escapade

The walls are lined with arrow slits and gun ports. Murder holes are also created at regular points.

Trekking lovers access the fort by climbing the hill from Vagator Beach.

2. Aguada Fort

Most of us traveling the beauties in Goa first approach the Aguada Fort located at the tidal mouth of Mandovi River. This is one of the forts in North Goa was constructed in 1612 with a four-storey Portuguese lighthouse, one of the oldest lighthouses in Asia. Fort Aguada is in Sinquerim
and is open between 9.30a.m. to 6p.m.

The Aguada Fort is located at a distance of around 18 kms from Panaji. Fort Aguada is located atop a hilltop near the mouth of the river Mandovi. The fort was named Aguada which means water in Portuguese because of the presence of three freshwater springs inside.

Aguada fort has an elaborate defense system and commands a great view of the sea and the neighboring villages. The fort has steep sides along the sea and a moat against land.

The fort is double walled and has two gates at its gatehouse. Portuguese built this one to guard against the foreign as well as Indian attacks , namely, the Dutch and the Marathas.

This lighthouse is no longer in use, having been replaced by a new one constructed recently and is seen even in far off places like Mapusa and Aldona at night. A huge tank with underground chambers is located at the center of the fort. A small doorway leads to the chambers and tanks underneath.

Aguada fort is amongst the larger forts in goa and covers the entire peninsula at the south western tip of Bardez taluka.

Have you heard of two extreme constructions within one premise- a Central jail and a luxury beach resort?! You witness both of these here!

Located close to the fort there are the Taj Holiday Village and the Fort Aguada Hotel.

3. Reis Magos Fort

Portuguese Viceroy Afonso de Noronha constructed the Reis Magos Fort in 1551 to guard the narrowest part of the Mandovi estuary against any enemy. The fort is located exactly opposite to the capital city Panjim and close to the Reis Magos church in the extreme south of the Bardez taluka at the northern bank of the river Mandovi. The fort has been restored by the Archeological Survey of India.

It was again rebuilt in 1703 in the defense of Goa in 1739, against the Marathas. Only the Reis Magos Fort and the Aguada Fort were left in the hands of the Portuguese.

On the list of forts in goa, the Reis magos Church is the first church of Bardez and is known for the colorful ‘Festa dos Reis Magos’ which is the Feast of the Three Wise Men. This is held on 6th of January every yearIt has distinctive reddish stone walls visible all the way from Panaji which lies across the Mandovi River from it.

4. Terekhol or Tiracol Fort

The fort is named on the river it stands on. Maharaja Khem Sawant Bhonsle, the Raja of Sawantwadi, in the 17th

century built it. Among the forts in north goa, this one has a different story! The fort was captured by the Portuguese Viceroy Dom Pedro Miguel de Almeida and was rebuilt in 1764.

The fort’s courtyard has the 100-year old Church that stands pristine white amidst lush greenery, feels very pure. A bird’s eye view shows a mustard yellow Portuguese styled roof tops boundary semi-circling St. Anthony’s.

It is now converted into a heritage hotel and the church is open to general public only on special occasions.

The fort gives a great view of the paragliders over the Kalacha beach.

Taxi and autos take you to it. A ferry service is available near the Querim beach to cross the Terekhol river.

Bikers and pedestrians can get a free ride across the river. However people commuting by cars and light motor vehicles have to pay a nominal fare.

5. Corjuem Fort

Another in the list of forts in goa is the Querim fort situated to the east of Aldona village. Story says that Ursula e Lancastre, a Portuguese woman who wanted to see the man’s world, travelled the world dressed like a man and reached Corjuem as a soldier but was captured and stripped.

Corjuem is a small island fort among the forts in north goa.

Portuguese words Khorik, meaning deep and Zunvem, meaning island, make the word Querim. This exemplifies the usage and the active change of the foreign language in centuries!
The Corjuem fort constructed in the year 1551 is square shaped. The walls are wide and have numerous gun ports and murder holes. At each corner of the fort is a ramp like stair that leads to the ramparts.

The fort has a well and a three room living quarters, a small chapel. Looking at this fact, you feel like you are at a small bungalow with in-house well for water and a small worship spot! Such places make Goa a marvel o explore indeed!

The fort has the distinction of being one of the only two inland that are surviving.

Portuguese built the fort with pitted laterite stones. The only cable suspension bridge in Goa connects Corjuem with Aldona .

6. Nanuz Fort:

Shivaji built the Nanuz fort in the 17th century and it is in the Sattari taluka of North Goa. The fort today is mostly in ruins and although it is small in size, draws many tourists. A not much known man Dipaji Rane once captured the fort to use it as military base during the time of early revolts in Goa. He conducted raids in Bardez and Tiswadi.

7. Sinquerim Fort:

Call it an extension of the larger Aguada fort situated above it. Sinquerim covers a wider area and is guarded by fortified walls on both sides. This fort was constructed in the year 1612 and was the anchor point of passing ships during the 16th and 17th Centuries.

It was a stopover for replenishing fuel and food supplies. The Sinquerim and Aguada fort are surrounded by a host of activities, snacks vendors and shopping outlets to make your visit happy both in sunshine and rains.

Travel by tourism buses for 18kms to reach Aguada’s bottom Sinquerim.

On the right hand side of the fort is the Taj Holiday Village resort, which is well known amongst tourists. In the distance one can see the Candolim beach. The Taj holiday resort is nearby.

You find many tour operators here who conduct waters port activities such as jet ski rides, paragliding and dolphin tours.

On the left hand side of the bastion is a fortified wall and rocky outcroppings.

8. St. Estevam Fort

St Estevam is an Island in Ilhas, Goa, India. St Estevam is known also ‘Juvem’ and in the past was known as ‘Shakecho Juvo’ – the isle of vegetables – known for its long, seven-ridged, light green ladyfingers. Therefore the people of Juvem came to be nicknamed ‘bhende’.

The fort is on a hillock on this island built in September 1668. It was named the fort of St Francis Xavier, hence, also the fort of Jua.

A flight of rough steps takes you to the fort from the St. Estevam village. The fort is small and light to look at.

Open, unlike forts are, not as much of fortification as expected, it has a great view of the river and opposite land. It has an impressive shrine to Christ the King. In 2011 the fort was restored by a non-profit organization called The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).

9. Cabo de Rama Fort

It is said that Rama and Sita stayed at the Cabo de Rama, one of the forts in South Goa during their 14-year exile from Ayodhya, now in Canacona Taluk. With the Portuguese invasion following, the Church of Santo Antonio was built.

Canacona is in southern Goa at a distance of 30 kms from Margao. The fort also served as a prison for political prisoners during the Portuguese rule.

The fort has all structures of a safehouse used to sustain a living.

People still come to pray at the Chapel inside it. It also has a small grotto with a statue of the Virgin Mary.

The fort has all evidence of life, moat, hot and cold water spring, large water tank storage. There are ruins of buildings that may have been used are quarters for the troops stationed at the fort.

10. Rachol Fort

Among the forts in South Goa, Rachel is located on the left bank of Zuari River and comprises of the Rachol Seminary. It was built of laterite stones, in 1520 and Portuguese protected it by over 100 guns. Unfortunately, the gateway is the only thing standing today.

11. Mormagao Fort

Mormugao, in the list of forts in Goa also tells the story of Portuguese fortitude in the face of enemy attacks. Interesting part is, these forts are so capably fortified, yet are small enough to be called bungalows with all the amenities required for a safe and protected refuge.

This fort lies on the western coast of Goa, and at one time it contained three magazines, a chapel, five prisons and huge bulwarks. There were two beautiful fountains within the fort area- The Fonte de Malabar kept the royal arms and was said to bob up from a gold mine.

Fonte de Santo Ignacio had a more modest beginning, in a Sulphur mine.

It offers a magnificent view of the Varca beach.

However, given its minimal structure, it is said these defense mechanisms proved futile against the Maratha warriors, which eventually led to its abandonment. The chapel and the fort wall are the only remnants available.

It is at the northwestern point of Salcette and guards the entrance to the port of Vasco. This, ofcourse would remind readers of Vasco da Gama! It was in 1624 that the construction of the Marmagoa Fort was started, and later the Portuguese Viceroy even moved to the fort.

It owns a circumference of six miles and many cannons and guns around.

Source : https://appealingindia.com/disco...