Fort of São Tiago of Banastarim

The Fort of São Tiago of Banastarim is a stone and brick ruin located on the right bank of Cumbarjua Canal at the eastern edge of Old Goa. The remains show a compact fortification with wall segments partly overgrown with vegetation and exposed to weather.

The fort was originally built by local rulers and conquered by Portuguese Viceroy Alfonso de Albuquerque in 1512, then renamed. It afterward served as an important military outpost in the Portuguese defensive system in Goa.

The fort displays a blend of local defense methods and European fortification techniques that developed during Portuguese rule. Its ruins reflect the connection between Goa and the Portuguese colonial empire.

The site is accessible to visitors but requires appropriate footwear and caution around uneven structures and crumbling sections. It is advisable to explore the area during daylight hours when visibility is better.

A large cannon from this fort was transported to Lisbon in 1840 and displayed publicly, showing the military importance of the location. This artifact documents the reach of Portuguese power across their colonial territories.