Fort Aguada, a Portuguese fort, is located at the southwestern tip of Bardez. Its strategically significant location on the mouth of River Mandovi had served in the past as the authentic defense of Portuguese against the Marathas & the Dutch. Laterite stones have been used to build the fort. It was once the grandstand of 79 cannons. The three sides of the fort are protected by high ramparts (5 meters high and 1.3 meters wide) and the fourth side has a gate facing the river. The upper part of the structure consists of the fort and the water storage system whereas the lower part was meant to provide a safe berth for Portuguese ships. Though Aguada was capable of safely accommodating the ships from September to May but it remained virtually closed during the south-west monsoon (June-July-August) because of high winds and the rough sea and the formation of sand-banks in the estuary of the Mandovi. The word Aguada is derived from the Portuguese word ‘Agua’, meaning water. Actually, at that time (17th century), the fort was the largest freshwater reservoir in Asia, having capacity to store 2,376,000 gallons of water and served as the replenishing source of fresh / drinking water for the sailors.
Standing on an elevation, dramatic in concept, this fort was built by the Portuguese 450 years ago. It still has some superb Manueline arches, springs and fountains and a garden of exotic flowers and fruits.
The newly opened resort is above the fort, equipped with all modern amenities and with provisions for aquatic sports, sand buggies and horse-ride. The Aguada Fort is in Old Goa (Velha Goa).