If you have always thought that Goa is all about the beaches, wine and fun… then think again! Of the endless things Goa is renowned for, forts form a vital part. A succession of invasions by the Portuguese, Mughals and Indians has left Goa with a plethora of forts for tourists to cherish. But these grandiose structures not only speak of the past, they demand a fun loving environment too. The pleasure of scaling the heights of a fort in Goa that overlooks the Arabian Sea and experiencing the most breath taking view is only possible if you take out the time to visit these forts. One such important fort is the chapora fort built on the Chapora River.
The Chapora fort is located at a distance of just 10 km from Mapusa on the banks of the Chapora River in north Goa. The most prominent landmark near the fort is the Anjuna beach, which is visited by thousands of tourists throughout the year.
Built by king Adil shah of Bijapur, the magnificent Chapora fort stands majestically on the banks of the Chapora River. The Chapora fort holds an important place in the Goan and Portuguese history. Before the fort itself became nothing more than ruins it changed hands through several occasions between the Portuguese and the Marathas. A few scattered Muslim headstones & massive walls is all that is left of this fort. Deserted in the 19th century, although the views from up and down the coast from the weed infested ramparts are still superb.
The fort was originally built to drive away plunders and raiders who came to establish their hold in the region. During the Portuguese rule the fort was rebuilt in a grand style with beautiful architecture and antique ware embellishing its interiors and exteriors. The latest addition to be added to the fort was a red bastion made of laterite, which was built by the Portuguese during the 17th century in place of an already existing structure. The fort also had a series of underground tunnels built to help evacuate the residents in case of any emergency.
The ruined structure commands a panoramic view of the adjoining vagator, ozran and Anjuna beaches. The top of the fort offers a mystical aura and offers a mesmerizing view of the sun setting behind the shimmering waters. Some of the walls still have canon marks that remind us all of the violent past.
