The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, and the Aguad Port & Jail Complex are deepening their partnership to position the 400-year-old Sinquerim landmark as one of the state’s flagship heritage destinations, part of a wider push towards Goa beyond Beaches

The Goa government led by CM Dr. Pramod Sawant is quietly promoting its heritage, a move towards Goa Beyond Beaches, with tourism focusing on agro-tourism and eco-tourism along with folk and culinary experiences in the villages. 

Aguad, with its mix of history, architecture, and sea views, is emerging as the new

spot for that shift.

Fort Aguad, built between 1609 and 1612, once protected the entrance of the Mandovi River from the Dutch attacks. Its lower fort eventually became the largest prison in Goa and held freedom fighters during the struggle to liberation from Portuguese rule. Since 2015, the prison has been closed.

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The old fort is now being turned into a museum and cultural complex, with restored jail rooms, a digital museum, a chapel, a spring, and a place for exhibitions and events, all while retaining its 400-year-old heritage.

What’s New?

The collaboration between Goa Tourism and Aguad is not a new one, as the Tourism department has been working closely with the complex to organise various events throughout the year. These have included walks as part of the World Tourism Day celebrations, a visit by an Omani travel delegation as part of the ‘Goa Beyond Beaches’ campaign, and the organisation of A Treasury of Life, a major exhibition of Indian Company Paintings, in partnership with the Department of Tourism.

Goa officials have always positioned Aguad as a key component of the state’s strategy to evolve beyond being just a beach destination, offering a wider range of heritage and culture-based tourism experiences.

This move will help in distributing tourism traffic more evenly across the state, attracting a different set of tourists. 

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