Colvale Fort (Goa)

O Fortaleza de São Sebastião de Colvale, also called the Colvale fort (after the village where it is located) and the Middle Fort or Fortress Colvale, is located in the village of Colvale, in the State of Goa, on the west coast of India. Currently, it is in ruins.

History
This fort was built in 1635 on the orders of the then Viceroy of the Estado Português da Índia, D. Miguel de Noronha, conde de Linhares. The Fortress was completed in the year 1681 by the court of Alvor as a barrier to safeguard the Bardez frontier against the Marathas and Bhonsles.

In the year 1739 it was annexed by the Maratha warriors and after 2 years it was recaptured by Luís Carlos Inácio Xavier de Meneses, 1st Marquis of Louriçal. The fort had a small garrison, besides a regiment. In the year 1841, the regiment was shifted to Mapusa and the fortress lost its importance gradually as for a few years it had been abandoned and neglected.

Inscription
On its gates, an epigraphic inscription read:
 * "REINANDO O CATHOLICO REI DÕ FILLIPE X3X GOVERNANDO ESTE ESTADO O VIGILÃTISSIMO DÕ MIGUEL DE NORONHA CONDE DE LINHARES SE FEZ ESTA OBRA 1635." ("In the reign of the Catholic king Filipe XIIIX, the Governor of this State Miguel de Noronha, Count of Linhares, undertook this work. 1635.")

Protected site
The ruins and site of the fort have been protected by the Government of Goa, Daman and Diu (now the Government of Goa) as a historical heritage site since 1983.

Architecture
The fort has the influence of the Portuguese and Hindu architecture. During the stay of the Marathas in this fort, they have re-designed some parts of the monument based on the local architectural style. Though most parts of the fort are ruined, its structural importance can still be comprehended.

The fort was primarily made of brick and stone along with mud. The size of the fort is considered to be quite huge. The exterior end of the fort has walls which are quite high that were important for the Portuguese and the Marathas during their rule as it could help them to stop enemies from entering the fort. It is believed that the interior of the fort once had the bastions and cannons of the Marathas and the Portuguese rulers, but since most parts of the fort has ruined in the present day context, very little traces of the same can be seen.

Location
The fort area is located in Survey No. 74 Subdivision 23 of Colvale village in Bardez, and the land is government-owned Goa.

In its neighborhood stands the Church of Colvale, founded by the Franciscans in 1591, rebuilt in 1678 and renovated after the fire it suffered during the invasion of Marathas forces under the command of Sambhaji in 1683.