Name and Location

The Old Lighthouse Tower is a disused coastal beacon located within the ramparts of Fort Aguada in the Aguada Fort Area of Candolim, North Goa, India. The tower's official name is the Old Lighthouse Tower.

Construction and History

The Old Lighthouse Tower was constructed in the mid- to late-19th century, with records indicating that the Portuguese colonial administration established Fort Aguada in 1612 as a freshwater and stronghold point. A lighthouse was later added, reputedly in the 1860s, to guide ships into the nearby Mormugao harbor. This tower is believed to be the original 19th-century structure. The lighthouse was replaced by a modern light tower in the early 20th century and decommissioned thereafter.

Architecture and Materials

The Old Lighthouse Tower is a functional military-colonial design with minimal ornamentation, constructed using local laterite stone and lime mortar, whitewashed exterior. The tower's structure is cylindrical, integrated into the fort wall, standing approximately 7 meters above the fort parapet (tower alone).

Light and Navigation

The Old Lighthouse Tower is no longer operational; historical specifications are unverified.

Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors may explore Fort Aguada and view the tower externally. Interior access to the lighthouse tower itself is restricted for safety and conservation reasons. Visitors can reach the location by road, taking the Candolim-Sinquerim coastal road and turning off at Fort Aguada entrance. Nearest railway station is Thivim (approximately 20 kilometers), with local buses and taxis onward. Nearest airport is Goa International Airport, Dabolim (approximately 42 kilometers).

Notable Views and Landscape

From the lighthouse terrace (external viewing area), visitors enjoy panoramic views of the Arabian Sea coastline, beach resorts at Candolim and Sinquerim, and the fort's moat and bastions lined with casemates.

Further Information

For more information on Fort Aguada, please visit the Archaeological Survey of India official website. The Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) also provides further information.