Corjuem Fort, Goa

The Corjuem fortress is a small island fortress located at a distance of about 6 km. from Aldona, in the Bardez taluka of North Goa. According to late Father Moreno de Souza, the island's name originates from Khor as in khorik which means deep or lower, and Zunvem which means island.

The Corjuem fort was constructed in the year 1551. The fort is relatively small and is square-shaped. The walls are wide and have numerous gun ports and murder holes. At each corner of the fort is a ramp-like stair that leads to the ramparts. The fort has a well and three-room living quarters. Within the fort is also located a small chapel which seems to be a relatively new addition. This fort protected the Portuguese from the Marathas, Bhonsle's, and the Rane Rajputs in the nineteenth century. The chapel of St. Anthony was earlier known to have been in the Corjuem Fort. The fort has the distinction of being one of the only two inland that is surviving. The fort has become popular for its beauty.

The fort is surrounded by lush greenery and one can get a full view of beautiful villages and islands nearby. The fort is built out of pitted laterite stones. Corjuem is well connected with Aldona by a cable suspension bridge which is a major source of attraction as it is the only suspension bridge in Goa.

The Corjuem Fort is a fantastic option to have an experience of the Portuguese reign although the place is in ruins. Historically the place is wonderful and provides a natural view of the surroundings in a far better way than other forts. There are only two islands that are still surviving and this one is one of them.

History

Corjuem fort was built in 1550 and was originally the property of the Bhonsle rulers of Sawantwadi. However, in the time of Viceroy Caetano de Mello e Castro, the fort was annexed to the Portuguese administration of Goa. The colonists rebuilt the fort in 1705 to boost their defenses of Panaji, which had by then become the capital city.

Although small, the fort had great strategic importance. During the 18th century, it held off Maratha invasions by Rane Rajput and the Bhonsles. In the early 1800s, the fort was used as a military school. It was armed with a small battalion of four guns and it defended the town of Corjuem.

Architecture

Like most of the other forts in Goa, Corjuem fort is constructed of laterite stone. Built in a square shape, it has bastions at each of the four corners with embrasures for cannons. The walls are wide and have multiple gun ports and/or murder holes.

At each corner of the fort is a ramp-like stair that can be mounted so that one can walk around the ramparts. There is also a well, living quarter for the defenders, and a chapel dedicated to St. Anthony.