There are a number of important monuments scattered around
Mapusa, mostly forts or fortresses of an erstwhile era with an interesting
history. Click on for more...
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It
is situated on the southeastern extremity of the tableland on the right bank of
the Mandovi, in the province of Bardez, about two miles to the northeast of Fort
Aguada. It was constructed in 1551by the Portuguese to guard the entrance to Goa at the
narrowest part of the Mandovi river,
enlarged subsequently on different occasions, and finally re-erected in 1707.
Though
far inferior in size to the fortress of Marmugao, yet standing on an eminence,
its commands, splendid view around. It
is in a good state of preservation, and is defended by 33 guns and accommodation
for a small garrison. Towards the
east, at a little distance from it, flows a spring with abundance of excellent
water, while at its base rises the church of the Reis Magos, ascended by a
beautiful flight of stairs.
This
edifice was built on the ruins of a pagoda in 1550 by the Franciscans, with the
sum allotted to them by the Government, and bears a crown on its façade, and
the royal arms on its sanctuary and other places. The pavement is dotted with
inscriptions, the most important of which, found in the sanctuary, indicated the
spot enclosing the remains of Dom Luis de Ataíde, count of Athoughia, who twice
held the position of Viceroy of Portuguese India and Goa.
This Fort stands on the north bank of the Mandovi at
Reis Magos, and is very much visible from the Panaji side of the Mandovi river.
It was used as a residence for viceroys and
later converted to a fortress. It was occupied briefly between 1798-1813 by the
British army. It was subsequently abandoned by the military and served as a
prison until recently.
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This imposing structure built of laterite lies west of Reis
Magos and lies at one end of the coastline of beautiful beaches that begins with
Sinquerim and ends with Vagator. It is the largest and best preserved forts in
Goa. It was built in 1612 to guard the entrance to the Mandovi river. It derives
its name from several freshwater springs that existed on its site. For the ships
that sailed from Portugal, it was the first stop after a long journey for fresh
water supplies before moving inland. Today it houses the state prison. There is
an old Lighthouse that stands in the middle of the fort and it was built in
1864., and it once housed the Great Bell of the Church of St. Augustine in Old
Goa before it was moved to the Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception in
Panaji.
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| Fort
Aguada |
Fort
Aguada |
Fort
Aguada |
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This fort lies at Chapora , which is on the southern tip of
the Chapora river as it opens into the Arabian sea. It marks the end of the
coastline that extends from Fort Aguada. It was built in 1617 by the Portuguese.
It fell twice to the Marathas and was rebuilt after the Portuguese took control back in 1741.It was abandoned in 1890's after the New Conquests.
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This fort is situated 4km north of Pomburpa, alongside the
Mapusa river near the village of Aldona. It was built in 1705 by the Portuguese.
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This fort is situated on the northern bank of the Terekhol
river. It was built by the Raja of Sawantwadi and was captured by the Portuguese
Viceroy, Dom Pedro de Alameida in 1746.The church and the fort were rebuilt
then. It was the site of a revolt led by the first Goan born Viceroy of Goa , Dr
Bernardo Peres da Silva in 1825. He used it as a base for an armed revolt against the
Portuguese but this attempt was crushed by the Portuguese forces. He never
returned to Goa.
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| Terekhol
Fort |
Terekhol
Fort |
Terekhol
Fort |
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Standing
on the northern frontier of Bardez, on the left bank of the Bardez River, this
fortress was erected in 1681 by the court of Alvor as a barrier against the
inroads of the Marathas and Bhonsles. It was taken by the Marathas in 1739, and
later recaptured by the Marquis of Lourical on the 13th of June 1741, and had a
small garrison, besides a regiment, posted about the same time in a convenient
situation.
The regiment was removed to Mapusa in 1841, while the Fortress, which had
been abandoned and neglected a few years previously, went to ruin, and now
presents only a few traces of its former might.
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