 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.
The Cabo Palace in Goa
Built in 1540 AD opposite Fort Aguada on the south headland of
the river Mandovi, the Cabo (the Portuguese word for cape) Palace
fortress housed the Franciscan monastery, which later (1594 AD)
became the official residence of the Governor of Goa.
Holding the most panoramic view one can witness in Goa with the
Indian Ocean towards the west, the Bay of the river Mandovi and
Fort Aguada on the north and the busy port of Mormugao.
The beauty, solitude and uniqueness and well-planned features are
some of the main attractions of the Cabo. A small Chapel was
constructed at the very end of the mansion dedicated to Our
virgin lady of The cape (Nossa Senhora do Cabo).
The Cabo Palace is now known as the Raj Bahavan, the official
name given to the residence of the Governors of the States In
India. It is also counted among the finest residences of Indian
Governors and is indeed the oldest as no other residence of a
Governor of a State in India had its origin to over four hundred
years in the past.
The Raj Bhavan has a fine collection o Bohemian chandeliers,
Chinese porcelain, silver and furniture. The most remarkable are
the beautiful pieces of antique Chinese porcelain presumably
manufactured in Canton.
Chapora Fort in Goa
Chapora fort was built by the Adil Shah of Bijapur on the
southern headland of the Chapora River. It was also known as
"Shahpur" and is now mostly ruined. It has a commanding view of
the Vagator beach and is near to Anjuna beach.
The red laterite bastion, crowning the rocky bluff, was built by
the Portuguese in 1617 on the site of an earlier Muslim
structure. Deserted in the 19th century, it lies in ruins today,
although the views up and down the coast from the weed-infested
ramparts are still superb
Mormugao Fort in Goa
This fort near the internationally famous Marmagoa Harbour was
built to protect the harbour situated near the Vasco da Gama
town. Its work started in 1624.
It covered an area of six miles in circumference, contained
towering bulwarks, three magazines, five prisons, a chapel and
quarters for the guard. It had 53 guns and a garrison with 4
officers, and was an important fortress on the western coast.
Unfortunately, except the chapel and a portion of the boundary
wall, little is left of this fort.
Mormugao Fort in Goa
it was a key Portuguese fort for the defense of Goa, on the north
side of the estuary of the Teracol River, the most northern
boundary of Goa. Hyped as one of the state's most atmospheric
historic monuments, it turns out to be little more than a down at
heel country house recently converted into a low-key luxury
hotel. Decorative turrets and dry moat with commanding views of
the estuary and ocean mark the fort.
If ones visit coincides with the arrival of a guided tour, one
may get a chance to look around the gloomy interior of the chapel
of St. Anthony, in the fort's claustrophobic cobbled square; at
other times it's kept locked. The Chapel also has a classical
late Goan facade.
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