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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 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 fresh
water stores.
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On the fort stands a
four-storey 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 whole of Asia.
This fort is divided in two
segments: the upper part acted as 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, light house and bastions, it also has a secret escape passage to
use during time of war and emergency. The lighthouse at 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 south western
tip of Bardez. Built on the mouth of river Mandovi, it was strategically
located and was the chief defence of Portuguese against the Dutch and
Marathas.
During the Salazar Administration, Fort Aguada was repurposed for use as
a prison primarily, some claim, for Salazar's political opponents.
Fort Aguada Beach Resort, a five-star-rated hotel owned by the Tatas, is
part of an 88-acre (360,000 m2) complex overlooking the Arabian Sea is
situated on Sinquerim Beach.
How to
reach
Nearest airport is Goa
International Airport (IATA: GOI, ICAO: VOGO), more commonly known
as Dabolim Airport, is an
international airport located in the city of Dabolim in Goa.
One can easily reach Fort Aguada from the city by taking local Buses,
Rickshaws, Tongas and Taxis.
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