Walking around parts of Old Goa is like walking through history. Every few hundred metres there is a haunting legacy from the past which springs up like a pleasant apparition. Ancient churches, laterite towers, temples and of course the Viceroy's Arch on the banks of the Mandovi river, which flows by the ancient city.
Once, centuries ago, when the city of Old Goa (Panaji was not even in existence then) was the grande dame of the Indian subcontinent, and known as the city of lights and of prosperity, it was this arch which served as its overarching gateway.
You had to pass under it, after your boat or dhow pulled up on the banks of the Mandovi river and you walked into the city of Old Goa.
The Viceroy's Arch was built by explorer Vasco da Gama's grandson Francisco, who had been appointed the Viceroy in the year 1597. If you observe closely, the arch has been ornamented with the emblem of a deer, which was a part of the coat of arms of Vasco da Gama. Just above it is the statue of the great explorer himself, whose will and determination found a new oceanic route to Goa, a history-altering discovery in the world of marine exploration.
Viceroy’s Arch
Old Goa
Tiracol fort
For centuries the Tiracol fort, located along the northern most border of Goa, has served as the coastal sentinel for a string of kings and rulers.
It was built in the 17th century by then ruler of Sawantwadi province in Maharashtra, thanks to the vantage point it commands over the Arabian sea and at a time when trade was largely carried out through ships hugging the coastline.
The fort, given its significance in maritime warfare, was later taken over by the Portuguese rulers of Goa. Historically, it holds significance even today, because one of the first Indian flags to unfurl in Goa, was at the very same fort during the Goan struggle for independence from Portuguese rule.
Decades later, the significance of the fort is now the tourism potential it commands. It’s rugged built and the stunning view it commands of the Arabian sea and the river which flows alongside is stunning and one which takes the viewer’s breath away.
A majority of the fort is now a part of a resort, but the fort itself is open to visitors and should be on your to-do list if you are frequenting the Tiracol, Arambol, Ashwem beach areas. The fort is only a short distance from the beach and requires a short ride by a ferry to access it.
What: Tiracol fort
Where: In Pernem taluk, near Tiracol, Arambol beaches
