Fort Terekhol

Historical

Photo Credit: Flickr

Distance (From Panjim): 56 Kms

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 1-2 Hours

Place Location: Near Tiracol

Transportation Options: Cab / Auto / Bus / Rental Bike

Travel Tips: 1. This place is usually visited from Arambol Beach (15 Kms)
2.Chapel of Our Lady of Carmin (0.3 kms) can also be visited from this place.
3.Querim Beach (2 kms) can also be visited from this place.

At a distance of 56 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand, 82 km from Vasco Da Gama Railway Station and 43 km from Mapusa, Terekhol Fort or Tiracol Fort is located on the northern tip of Goa at the mouth of the Tiracol River. The name tir-khol means 'steep river bank' in Marathi.

Fort Terekhol was built by Maharaja Khem Sawant Bhonsle, the king of Sawantwadi in the 17th century. The Terekhol Fort was won by the Portuguese in 1746 and it became an important part of Portuguese maritime defences. The Fort was rebuilt in 1764 by the Portuguese viceroy Dom Pedro Miguel de Almeida.
The Fort site chosen was a hillock on the right bank of the river, which gave a commanding view of the Arabian Sea. The Bhonsles of Sawantwadi kept a sizeable fleet of native vessels which sheltered in the Tiracol River. The fort initially consisted of 12 guns, a barrack and a chapel.

The Terekhol Fort was used as a military base for an attack on the Portuguese by Dr. Bernado Peres Da Silva in 1825. He was the first viceroy who was born in Goa itself. However his efforts were futile and the Portuguese took over the Terekhol Fort again. The Fort was abandoned once the Portuguese left.
This Fort was used as a base for freedom fighters during the freedom fight of 1961. The Fort is surrounded with ancient trees and there is a memorial to the freedom fighters who fought for the liberation of Goa. The remains of the Fort are now converted into a hotel by the name of Terekhol Fort Heritage.

The Fort also houses a church inside its premises which is known as the St. Anthony church. The church is usually not open for public to visit. It is only open to the public on the feast day. The feast of St. Anthony is held usually in the month of May.

The Fort offers a great view of the Terekhol River, Querim and Kalacha beach. Terekhol Fort is reached by a car ferry from Querim.