Aguada Fort

Aguada Fort is one of the largest and impressive forts preserved as one of the best known landmarks in Goan history. Its prominence has grown from the fact that its headland on which it is built offers a wonderful site for military architects due to its shielding of the vital sea access from the heart of the Portuguese territory thereby making it an ideal site for seaward as well as landward defense.

The elimination of the Maratha threat and the acquisition of the New Conquest added more glory to its importance right upto the end of the 18th century when Goa's future borders were established. The most vital part of it was its impregnability to survive attacks by enemies through land or sea or simultaneously from both sides which often happened. The most feared threat for the Portuguese came from the Europeans in the east, which came true when a Dutch squadron approached the Mandovi in 1604. The Reis Magos Fort, Gaspar Dias Fort and the Cabo Fort proved to be futile in keeping them at bay and though eventually warded off, the Dutch succeeded in burning quite a number of Portuguese ships. In 1606, they returned back and settled at the entrance of the river, blocking the harbour and preventing the entry or departure of all the ships.

A portion of the Aguada Fort is still in use as Goa's Central Jail. The construction of Aguada Fort was a prompted by the necessity of screening Goa against the Dutch and the Maratha invasion. The upper ramparts of the fort enable the visitors to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. One of the major highlights of the Aguada Fort is a towering lighthouse that is still operational. The impregnability of the fort can be ascertained by the fact that it has remained unassailable for almost 450 years.