One of the oldest forts in India, Reis Magos Fort is located at the narrowest point of the Mandovi River estuary. From the Goa capital of Panandzhi, situated on the opposite side of the river, there is a good view of it.
It is officially believed that this defensive structure appeared in 1543, but some sources date it to an even earlier period. The fact is that in 1497 a watch post was built on this site, destroyed during the capture of the Bardes region by the Portuguese.
The fort that was erected on the site of the old structure already belonged to the invaders. Later it was converted into an impregnable fortress with 33 cannons. There were secret underground passages, a military garrison, and a well filled with water from a pure spring.
The name "Reis Magos" is translated from Portuguese as "three kings" - in honor of the three Magi who brought gifts to the infant Jesus. Crowned heads also visited here: the fort repeatedly became a refuge for monarchs.
Throughout its existence, Reis Magos was rebuilt many times, with the last reconstruction taking place at the very beginning of the XVIII century. The fort served as a strategic site in the war against the Marathas, one of the Indian peoples, and was never taken. From 1900 to 1996 a prison was housed here, and after a major restoration in 2012 the fort was opened to tourists and remains one of Goa's most beautiful attractions.
