The fort, now almost half a millennium old, took its name from the river on which it was built. The fortified tower that preceded Chapora Fort was called "Shahpur" in honor of Sultan Shah, who built it. By the 17th century it had been conquered and destroyed, but on this same site the Portuguese erected their own defensive structure.
An important strategic site for which battles were constantly fought repeatedly passed from the Portuguese to the Indians and back again. Two centuries later, the fort lost its value, as the invaders had occupied the entire province of Pernem. That is how the fort ended up abandoned.
Now the fort lies in ruins, and almost all that remains of it is a stone wall, which local residents are taking apart for building materials. Not even the foundations, but only traces of them remain from the outbuildings, barracks, and the Church of St. Anthony. The underground passages have been filled in. Only the stele in the center of the inner courtyard and several Muslim gravestones on the hill have survived.
And yet it is worth coming here! The fort offers a unique view: the Arabian Sea to the west, the famous beaches of Goa to the north and south, and Chapora Bay to the east. Such beauty takes your breath away, and your hand just reaches for the camera to take exceptional and memorable pictures.
