About

 The Aguada Fort is located at a distance of around 18 km. from Panaji And roughly 52 km away from Margao. it is the largest and the best-preserved Portuguese bastion in Goa  It is located at a hilltop near the mouth of the river Mandovi. The fort was named Aguada which means water in "Portuguese".  When, earlier forts such as Reis Magos, Gaspar Dias, and Cabo proved too weak to resist Dutch and the Marathas invasions, the Portuguese build this fort during the period between 1609-12. The fort was temporarily occupied by British in 1798 during their struggles against Tipu Sultan. The fort was also used as a reference point for vessels coming from Europe. Now, much of the fort serves as a prison. Aguada must be one of the most scenic prisons in the world. The prison's most famous moment in its history was the housing of the international criminal Charles Shobraj who eventually escaped from there.  Charles Shobraj was captured in a tavern in Goa and then put into prison at Aguada.  The tavern along with the prison became overnight tourist attractions which were shown by every tour guide in Goa worth his salt. The fort stands atop the Sinquerim Plateau, overlooking the south of the Mandovi river and the greenery. Views from the top of the fort are spectacular, where one can get a complete view of the fort, also the views right across to Calangute beach in the North, the Arabian Sea to the west and the Nerul River to the South.

lighthouse:

On the fort stands a 4-story Portuguese lighthouse, erected in 1864 and the oldest of its kind in Asia. Built in 1612, it was once the grandstand of 79 cannons, a moat around the fort also protected it. Fort Aguada was the most prized and crucial fort of Portuguese. The fort is so large that it envelops the entire peninsula at the southwestern tip of Bardez. Built on the mouth of river Mandovi, it was strategically located and was the chief defense of Portuguese against the Dutch and Marathas. The light from this lighthouse can be seen even in far off places like Mapusa and Aldona at night. A huge tank with underground chambers is located at the center of the fort. A small doorway leads to the chambers and tanks underneath. This portion of the fort has been covered with concrete slabs and is not accessible to the public. Aguada Fort is amongst the larger in goa and covers the entire peninsula at the southwestern tip of Bardez taluka. A part of the fort is converted into a Central jail and a luxury beach resort. 

Tips

• Go there as early as possible to avoid rush and heat. 
  
• Visits during the day/noon time during bright sun are only recommended with proper protections and sunscreen.
  

Timings