Fort Terekhol also known as Fort Tiracol is located in Goa,India. Placed in the Northern tip of Goa very close to the mouth of river Tiracol the fort can be reached using a ferry from Querim. The fort is located 42 kilometers away from north of Panaji. Fort Tiracol gets its name from a Marathi origin “tir-Khol” which means “a steep river bank”.
Built by Maharaja Khem Sawant Bhonsle, the king of Sawantwadi, the fort came into existence in the 17th century. The site chosen was a hillock and sat on the Northern bank of the river. The fort offered a very authoritative view of the magnificent Arabian Sea. The fort was initially built in a manner that it housed 12 guns, barrack and a chapel.
Fort tiracol History
In 1746, the Portuguese under the 44th Viceroy of Goa, Pedro Miguel, waged war against the Raja of Sawantwadi. The fort like several other dominant forts of Goa holds a magnificenthistory. Several battleswere fought and finally in 1746 the fort was finally surrendered to the Portuguese.
The fort held a lot of strategic importance for the Portuguese Maritime defenses. The fort saw severe damage during the 1825 up rise. The fort and chapel were damaged but were later rebuilt. The fort saw massive revamping in 1764. Till the year 1961 the fort remained under the rule of Portuguese until it was forcefully annexed by India.
Church of St Anthony
Fort Tiracol remained a place of high importance where freedom fighters demonstrated n time manner in Goa when required. The fort houses the church of St Anthony. The church was built in the courtyard of the fort by DE Almeida after it was captured. The church was built to represent the holy trinity- The father, son and god. The century old St Anthony church attracts locals, tourists and Christiana pilgrim form different parts of the globe.
Fort Tiracol was in ruins and all that remained about it was its magnificent history, the ruined fort has now been converted into a hotel. The hotel is known as fort Tiracol heritage. The church is not open to public and is open only on special occasion and events. Hence an outside view of the church is what can be seen form the fort complex. The annual feast held in the month of May attracts pilgrims and tourists mainly to the church.
Close to the fort is the sea shore at Terekhol which makes for an added attraction for tourists visiting the fort. A war memorial in memory of the freedom fighters of Goa, the St Andrew church and the centrally standing statue of Saint Andrew make for a wonderful watch for tourists visiting the fort. The fort Tiracol is a place of attraction for leisure travelers offering a heritage place to stay, picturesque seashore and the church of St Anthony and St. Andrew.