Aguad: Where Goa’s Past Finds a Living Present

Aguad: Where Goa’s Past Finds a Living Present

The Aguad Port and Jail Complex has long stood watch over Goa’s coastline, carrying

within its stone walls the weight of conquest, resistance and memory. Once a strategic portand later a prison that held freedom fighters, the complex has gradually moved beyond being a site of remembrance alone. Today, Aguad has re-emerged as a shared public space — part heritage precinct, part cultural venue where history coexists with contemporary life, and where the past is encountered not as a relic, but as something lived, engaged with and carried forward.

This 17th-century heritage structure has had a history of gore and glory. From providing a safe berth for Portuguese ships at its port, to later holding the freedom fighters imprisoned in its cells

– The Aguad Port and Jail Complex has seen many versions. This restored complex continues to evolve, with several activities engaging visitors through the day… and night too. From the interactive museum, where you can learn key details of Goa’s history – especially the Liberation movement – to the heritage cruise and curated events, this space truly has something for Everyone.

Aguad By Boat

Travelling to Aguad by road is fun, but heading there aboard a boat is even more so. With acapacity of 15, the D7 & D8 ferries passengers from one iconic space, Panaji’s Kala Academy, to another – the Aguad Port and Jail Complex. In addition to skipping the traffic, the boat gives visitors another experience, gliding across the Mandovi, building up anticipation for what is to come at the Complex.

The boats operate on prior bookings.

Aguad Interactive Museum (AIM): The Aguad Interactive Museum, set within Aguad’s erstwhile prison cells, houses some interesting information that goes beyond what you find in your history textbooks. Through its three immersive sections, Goa: The Land, The Struggle and The People, the interactive exhibits and state-of-the-art kiosks help transport visitors to the era of guns and revolutions. With the user-friendly web app and QR-coded audio guides, the museum is a perfect blend of history and new-age tech, making the experience a highly engaging one, especially for the younger audience.AIM entry is included in the ticketed Aguad experience.

Aguad Heritage Walks

Stroll into history with the heritage walks at the formidable Aguad Port and Jail Complex. The fort, which has borne witness to several historical events, is an ideal site for the explorer and the inquisitive history buff. On the walks you can learn how the structure was used as a defence against the Dutch and the Marathas, as a prison to house the freedom fighters and their acts of defiance while there, and about the various aspects of the Portuguese-built architecture. This walk also gives the visitors exclusive access to the beautiful chapel, a freshwater spring, former kitchens and dingy prison cells in the Aguad jail. Guided walks need prior booking or can be booked on the Aguad Website.

Heritage Cruise

The Heritage Cruise will take visitors gliding over the water, beginning and ending at AguadVisitors can set sail into the serene Aguada Bay and the Arabian Sea aboard Solita – Goa’s first ever cruiser built on vintage trawler lines. Solita allows visitors to take in sweeping panoramic views of Goa’s shoreline, offering a magnificent view of the complex on its 45-minute cruise trip amidst the quiet waves and solitude of the sea, something you cannot experience otherwise. Cruise begins at 5:30 pm from Aguad. Prior booking is mandatory.

Restaurants

Indulge in the perfect dining experience at Aguad, with a curated range that suits every palate. If you;re looking for a relaxed and casual atmosphere, head to the Black Sheep Bistro at the Barracks, where the comfort foods and cosy ambiance let you unwind, or you could hit the neighbouring, vibrant beverage outlet – Motley Brew – which serves unique coffee-infused beverages and mocktails. Cellar 1612, on the other hand, sets the stage for a dining experience like no other. With a menu that blends traditional Indian flavours with global influences, there a restaurant is an embodiment of what the Complex stands for — the past meeting the present Finally, the waterfront restaurant, D Sailor, lets visitors dive into a diverse menu, from seafood to comforting classics and finger food, while being surrounded by the ocean on three sides.

Weekend Getaway

The Aguad Weekend Getaway, held every weekend, breathes new life into the historical site combining family time and local heritage. With rows of curated stalls, the lively seaside weekend market ensures visitors can indulge in unique finds and local crafts, where artisans showcase their handcrafted knickknacks, providing a delightful shopping experience beyond what the space offers on a regular day.

Curated Events

The complex has carved a niche for itself in Goa’s event scene as a space to host special curated events. From candlelight concerts, which bring a sense of mystique to the majestic fort walls, to the musical nights like Tunes on the Tides, which bring alive culture, music and tradition – Goan, Indian or Western.

Ticket availability and pricing are subjective to each event.

Art Exhibitions

The complex also hosts art exhibitions at its gallery for the art aficionados to take in what they love cocooned within the heritage walls. The recently held exhibition honouring the unknown Indian masters was one such event. The DAG (formerly Delhi Art Gallery), India’s premier art company, brought to Goa an exhibition of works commissioned by the East India Company in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The two hundred works of art – this was the largest exhibition of its kind – show how the Aguad Port & Jail Complex can house an extensive collection of artworks.

With all that’s constantly happening at the Aguad Port and Jail Complex, everyone –- young or old, local or tourists – has something to look forward to. So if you’re looking for something to do,nto learn about Goa’s rich history, or just to have a meal at a picturesque space, head to this majestic complex.

Image 1: The Aguad Port and Jail Complex stands sentinel to time, strategically at the confluence of River Mandovi and the Arabian Sea

Image 2: Visitors can enjoy a scenic boat ride, which ferries passengers to and fro between the Kala Academy Jetty and the Aguad Port and Jail Complex

Image 3: Aguad Interactive Museum (AIM) at the Aguad Port and Jail Complex houses the exhibits that provide information on Goa that goes beyond the history textbooks

Image 4: Visitors can explore and learn about the historical site via the heritage walks at the Aguad Port and Jail Complex