Team Herald
MARGAO: A group of young and dynamic history enthusiasts from “History Lovers Group” (HLG) in association with JCI, Vasco, organised “Mormugao Heritage Trip” for general public on Sunday to create awareness about the rich history & heritage of Vasco da Gama. Rohan Bandekar, a youth of Vasco, who is also an active member of HLG, gave information on the trip.
The trip began from Desterro Fort where the participants witnessed the 393-year-old fort wall still standing rock solid. Desterro chapel was also the main attraction at Desterro Fort. The trip then moved towards Mormugao Fort which was built in 1624.
The Mormugao Fort was essentially built by the Portuguese to protect the harbour, territorial waters in and around the port of Margao. The entrance to the fort, which is bustling with activity as against what it is to be usually expected, is inscribed with names such as Dom Francisco Da Gama and King Dom Fillip. The inscription is a commemoration to the then Viceroy, and was carved in when the fort was inaugurated.
The fort is located to the north of Vasco da Gama town and just south of Mormugao Port. The Mormugao Fort covered a total region of six miles in circumference, contained towering bulwarks, three magazines, five prisons, a chapel and quarters for the guard. It had 53 guns and a garrison with 4 officers, and was an important fortress on the western coast. A coastal fort, sprawled over 6 miles, built by the Portuguese in 1624 solely to offer them supremacy against marine attacks, Mormugao Fort is today situated among some of Goa’s most visited tourist attractions like Varca Beach. Furthermore, it is very proximate to tourist locations like Margao, the port of Margao and Vasco da Gama.
The Viceroy moved into Margao which was essentially the capital of the empire in 1703.Throughout history, this fort took quite a beating, before eventually being surrendered to the Marathas when the Portuguese decided to settle for Old Goa.
The fortress is huge, measuring in at over 10 kilometers if measured around the circumference. Varca beach which is a stone throw away from the fort is known for its traditional wooden fishing boats and makes for quite a sight.
A bastion-like structure can be also seen along with some remains of the fort at Baina beach. The Desterro fort wall extends from where the Desterro church stands to near the Baina beach at one end and towards the El- Monte theatre from the other end. The historic Desterro fort wall needs urgent attention. The vegetation grown on it needs to be cleared.
The market building which has a clock tower was built in 1938 and is known as ‘’Mercado municipal’’ which means municipal market, the restoration of the clock tower has been done by Rajaram and Tarabai charitable trust of RNSB group .
The current Mormugao Municipal council building which is also a heritage structure was built in 1941. The “Camara Municipal de Mormugao’’ was established in 1919 with Antonio Vicente Valente de Braganca Cunha as its first president. Its administrative offices operated from the Colaco building which was demolished in 1964 and replaced by a new concrete building where the Bank of India Vasco branch is located today. In 1941, the offices of Camara Municipal de Mormugao were shifted to the present Mormugao Municipal council building.
The trip ended at St Andrew’s Church with the history of the church. Church of St. Andrew’s the Apostle, was established by the Jesuits in 1570. The present church was built in 1594, having gone through structural changes over the years.
History Lovers Group will be hosting many similar events in all parts of Goa to bring forth the history of the State.
