Terekhol Fort Goa

Terekhol Fort Goa Information :

Location : Pernem taluka, North Goa district
Construction Period : 17th century
Constructed by : Maharaja Khem Sawant Bhonsle, the Raja of Sawantwadi
Highlights : Church of St. Anthony

About the Terekhol Fort in Goa :

Terekhol Fort situated on the northern bank of the Terekhol river was built by the Raja of Sawanwadi. It was captured by the Portuguese viceroy, Dom Pedro de Alameida in 1746. The church and the fort were rebuilt then. In 1825 it served as the base for armed revolt by the first Goan born Viceroy of Goa, Dr. Bernardo Peres da Silva against the Portuguese forces.

Terekhol Fort was a key Portuguese fort for the defence of Goa, situated on the north side of the estuary of the Terekhol river, the northern most boundary of Goa. Customarily marked by turrets and a surrounded by a ditch it overlooks the panoptic ocean. In the middle of the fort is the church with a Goan façade. The fort presently houses a tourist hotel. The tranquility of the place is accentuated by the confluence of the serene sea and the river.

Guarding the river:

The grand Terekhol fort in Goa stands guard on the bank of the river Terekhol, which also gives the fort its name. It was built by the king of Sawanwadi. This fort was eyed by the Portuguese, especially the then viceroy Dom Pedro De Almeida in 1746. The Portuguese preferred to rebuild the fort and also established a church in the vicinity. This fort was seeped in history owning to the armed revolt between the first viceroy of Goa and the stubborn Portuguese forces. The consequence of this was the rise in importance of the Terekhol fort for the Portuguese, who also considered it as a key fort for the defense of Goa. Currently, the fort still guards the river even as it overlooks the ocean. However, the fort has very little to guard in its tranquil surroundings and peaceful environment. It houses a heritage hotel and invites tourists from far and wide who are drawn to this magnificent fort because of its great architectural style and the priceless view of the ocean.

Defining features:

The Terekhol fort in Goa is very well known its glorious history and legends of its past. It’s architectural style throws light on the battles of the past as well as its surviving ability. This fort is also a major tourist attraction and attracts visitors from far and wide. The fort is also famous for its scenic atmosphere and can be best described as an important landmark of Goa.

How to Reach Terekhol Fort :

The tiny enclave of Terakol, the northernmost tip of Goa, can reached by a clapped-out car ferry from the hamlet of Querim, 42-km from Panjim.

Aguada Fort Goa

Location :

The Aguada fort is situated 18 Km from Panajim, Goa.

Best time to visit :

Goa is pleasant whole year round, December to February marking the busiest season.

About the Aguada Fort in Goa:

An awe-inspiring edifice, the Aguada fort stands tall among the Portuguese-era forts scattered across Goa. Strategically located at the estuary of the river Mandovi, the Aguada fort is the largest among the lot. Aguada in Portuguese translates to 'water' and the fort has been called so for the spring within the ramparts that provided water supply to the ships that called here arriving after the long sea voyage from Lisbon.

The Portuguese erected this massive bastion in 1609-12 to ward off attacks from the marauding armies of the Dutch and the Marathas. Apart from the strategic location, an assembly of two hundred cannons and the thick fortifications made the Aguada fort a veritable bulwark against enemy attacks. The fort made an enviable record of being the only fort that was not conquered by any invaders during the 450 year long rule of the Portuguese empire.

Located within the precincts of the Aguada fort is a four-storey lighthouse, erected in 1864 and arguably the oldest of its kind in Asia. The Aguada fort is in a good state of preservation and one can still witness remnants of the original structures. Nowadays the fort functions as a prison and it happens to be the largest prison in Goa.

How to Reach Fort Aguada Goa :

Being a prominent tourist spot, most of the tourist operators offer conducted tours to Aguada fort. You can also hire taxis on your own.

Forts In Goa

Goa Forts Information :

Location : Coastal areas of Goa
Major Forts : Aguada Fort, Tiracol Fort, Chapora Fort
Other Ruins of History : Mormugao Fort, Reis Magos Fort, Cabo da Rama
Official Residence of Governor : Cabo Fort

Forts In Goa :

Goa is famous for its historical monuments of which forts form a vital part. Rich in historical legacy, these forts tell vivid stories of the past and have braved the cruelest of the winds to stand upright till today. Come along and explore the famous forts of Goa!

CHAPORA FORT
This fort was built by the Adil Shah of Bijapur on the southern headland of the Chapora river. It was known as Shapur and is now mostly ruined. It has a commanding view of the Vagator beach and is near to Anjuna beach.

MORMUGAO FORT
This fort near the internationally famous Mormugao 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. However, except the chapel and a portion of the boundary wall, little is left of this fort.

TERACOL (TIRACOL) FORT
It was a key Portuguese fort for the defence of Goa, on the north india side of the estuary of the Tiracol river, the most northern boundary of Goa. This fort is marked by decorative turrets and dry moat with commanding views of the estuary and ocean. The church set in the middle of the fortress has a classical late Goan façade. The fort presently houses a tourist hotel. The beach is situated at the confluence of river and sea and generally recognised for its tranquility.

THE GATE OF THE COLLEGE OF ST. PAUL
The College of St. Paul, once the principal institution of Jesuits in India for imparting knowledge on Christianity, was built over the ruins of a mosque south of St. Cajetan’s church at Old Goa in 1542. However, it was abandoned during the outbreak of plague in 1570 and went into disuse. The Government demolished this ruining structure in 1832 to carry materials for building construction in Panaji. The only remnant of this College is the façade in the shape of an arch with a niche at the top and a cross crowning it. The arch that led to the College as a gateway is built of laterite, flanked on either side by a basalt column of the Corinthian order on raised plinth, and supported by basalt pilasters of the Doric order.

THE GATE OF THE PALACE OF ADIL SHAH
The palace of Adil Shah at Old Goa was the most prominent building with magnificent lofty staircases. It was the residence of the Portuguese governors till 1695, and was afterwards used by them on festive occasions. It was deserted during the epidemic in the 18th century, was demolished in 1820 and the materials carried to Panaji for construction of houses. Now only the gate remains which is architecturally purely brahminical in style. Six steps in front of the gate lead to the raised platform on which the gate stands.

THE TOWER OF THE CHURCH OF ST. AUGUSTINE
Built in 1602, the only ruin of the Church of St. Augustine on the Holy Hill at Old Goa near the Nunnery, is a lofty 46-metre high tower defying the torrential rains. The tower is one of the four of St. Augustine Church that once stood there. The Church when intact was perhaps the biggest in Goa. With the religious suppression in 1835, the Augustinians deserted the church and the convent. The neglect resulted in the collapse of the vault on September 8, 1842. The façade and half of the tower fell in 1931 and some more parts of it collapsed in 1938.

THE VICEROY’S ARCH
It is one of the gates of Adil Shah’s Fort at Old Goa. It was renovated by the Portuguese and was the gateway to Goa for Portuguese Governors. Every incoming Viceroy used to disembark at this place. The arch was rebuilt by the Governor Francisco de Gama (1597-1600) in the memory of his great-grandfather Vasco da Gama. It was again completely re-built in 1954.