Fort Aguada and its lighthouse is a well-preserved seventeenth-century Portuguese fort standing in Goa, India, on Sinquerim Beach, overlooking the Arabian Sea. The fort was constructed in 1613 to guard against the Dutch and the Marathas. It was a reference point for the vessels coming from Europe at that time. This old Portuguese fort stands on the beach south of Candolim, at the shore of the Mandovi River. It was initially tasked with the defense of shipping and the nearby Bardez sub-district.
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 Water. Crews of passing ships would often visit to replenish their freshwater stores. On the fort stands a four-level Portuguese lighthouse, erected in 1864 and the oldest of its kind in Asia. Built-in 1612, it was once the grandstand of 79 cannons. It has the capacity of storing 2,376,000 gallons of water, one of the biggest freshwater storages of the time in the whole of Asia. This fort is divided into two segments: the upper part acted as a fort and watering station, while the lower part served as a safe berth for Portuguese ships. Whereas the upper part has a moat, underground water storage chamber, gunpowder room, lighthouse, and bastions, it also has a secret escape passage to use during a time of war and emergency.
The lighthouse at the initial stage is 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.
Fort Aguada was the most prized and crucial fort of Portuguese. The fort is so large that it envelops the entire peninsula at the southwestern tip of Bardez. Built on the mouth of river Mandovi, it was strategically located and was the chief defense of Portuguese against the Dutch and Marathas.
How to Reach:
It is situated 19 kilometers from the town of Panaji. The best way to reach Aguada Fort is that you can either hire yourself some transport or use public transport, there are lots of choices available between taxis, motorbike pilots and autorickshaws. The nearest Train station is Thivim Railway station, although the main train services stop at Margao station, only local trains sometime’s stop by Thivim station. So the Margao Railway Station will be better. To reach Aguada from Margao or Thivim, you can either take a local bus or taxi.
Distance:
18.6 km from Panaji – 34mins
42.5 km from Dabolim Airport – 1hr 3mins
55.5 km from Margao Railway Station – 1hr 18mins
25.4 km from Thivim Railway Station – 41mins
