Aguda Fort in Goa
A spring within the fort provided water supply to the ships that
called there, giving it the name "Aguada" (meaning 'water' in
Portuguese). On the northern side, it provides a harbour for
local shipping. The fort, at present, houses the central jail. A
19th century built lighthouse is situated inside the
fortress.
Immediately south of Candolim, a long peninsula extends into the
sea, bringing the seven-kilometre white sandy beach to an abrupt
end. Aguada Fort, which crowns the rocky flattened top of the
headland, is the best-preserved Portuguese bastion in Goa. Built
in 1612 to protect the northern shores of the Mandovi estuary
from Dutch and Maratha raiders, it is home to several natural
springs, the first source of drinking water available to ships
arriving in Goa after the long sea voyage from Lisbon.
