Corjuem Fort
Fort Assunção or Corjuem Fort is a fortress situated from the village of Aldona on the river island of Corjuem, Goa. It was a military fortress for the defense of Portuguese India. It is smaller than the other forts in Goa, but it gives a good view of the surrounding river and land. It is a protected monument under the Goa, Daman and Diu Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.
Corjuem Fort is from Panjim.
Location
The Fort of Corjuem is situated on an island with the same name in Bardez, to the east of the village of Aldona, from which it is separated by the Mapuçá River. It is one of the only two inland forts that are surviving that are made of pitted laterite.History
Under the Portuguese Viceroy Caetano de Mello e Castro, the control of the island came back under Portuguese India's administration. This fort built in 1705, by the Portuguese, as a defense against Maratha aggression, and was subsequently rebuilt and reinforced by them to boost up defenses along Panjim.In the eighteenth century, this fort successfully protected the Portuguese from the Bhonsles and the Ranes, who were camped just beyond the Mandovi River.
In the early 1800s, the fort was used as a Military School and had in its defenses a battery of four guns. The fortress defended the town of Corjuem and also has a chapel under the parochial church of Aldona. The fort fell into disuse after the success of Novas Conquistas, as it had lost its purpose as a border defense.
Development of Corjuem
Since 1835 the custodian of the island and Fort have been Joao Filippe Ferreira and his descendants.He also installed the altar of St. Anthony in the Fort. His family was influential in the construction of the 5 chapels and 3 temples in the village as well as being the benefactors of the Corjuem Gymkhana and the Mae de Deus School Corjuem.
The Fort is currently under restoration by the Directorate of Archaeology Govt of Goa with backing from the Alvares Ferreira and Ferreira Rangel families.