Old Lighthouse Tower at Fort Aguada

The Old Lighthouse Tower is situated within the ramparts of Fort Aguada, a 17th-century Portuguese fort on Sinquerim Beach in Goa. Constructed in the mid-19th century, reputedly in the 1860s, the lighthouse guided ships into Mormugao harbor. The tower is believed to be the original 19th-century structure. Fort Aguada was built in 1612 by the Portuguese to defend against Dutch and Maratha invasions and to serve as a freshwater supply point for ships. The fort's name, 'Aguada,' means 'watery' in Portuguese, referencing the freshwater spring within its walls. The lighthouse, replaced by a modern light tower in the early 20th century, stands approximately 7 meters above the fort parapet. The cylindrical tower, made of local laterite stone and lime mortar, showcases a functional military-colonial design. Though entry to the lighthouse is restricted, its gleaming white structure is visible from a distance. Visitors can explore the fort and enjoy panoramic views of the Arabian Sea coastline, Candolim and Sinquerim beaches, and the fort's bastions. The fort also houses a freshwater spring, prison cells, and underground water storage chambers.