“I think I will go check out the Corjuem fort this Sunday” said I. And they all laughed! “What’s there in that place? A pile of ruins!” But with no other option (and hardpressed for time), I guess this was the best alternative for a rainy, sunday morning!
After a brief search on wikimapia for road directions, all I could garner was that once you crossed this bridge (at Aldona) the fort was a 5 minute drive.
The view on the outside was indeed impressive and there itself I knew this was going to be an adventure.
The entrance gate had a carved insignia which I tried to decipher later at home… and still have not succeeded
It’s interesting how amidst the ruins of the fort, this chapel still stands, bright and hopeful
The fort is a square structure with ramps at the four corners.
I was informed by an archaelogist, that the binding material for these stones and arches is merely mud… and it still stands!
Two sentinel posts survive the test of time. This is one of them
Enter into the tiny enclosure and be on guard…
… or just look back at the fort and see things differently!
the well in the centre is unfortunately serving as a garbage dump for insensitive, beer drinking, plastic generating visitors.
The entire fort has this unique pattern of vegetation all along the stone floor
I have tried to resist adding pictures of all the wildlife in the fort this time… but this one was just irrestible… it’s just a shell left behind… just like the fort
Moss… the first conquerors of the earth!
… and it’s time to turn back. After a light shower, the trees around glistened with drops of rain… I’ve tried capturing the fort too in the distance
The Corjuem fort was constructed in the year 1551. It was more like a solitary outpost. One of the defenders of the fort is said to have been Ursula e Lancastre, a Portuguese waif. Determined to succeed in a man’s world she disguised herself as a man and travelled the world, eventually serving as a soldier. It was not until she was captured and stripped that her secret was discovered. This did not put an end to her military career, she married the captain of the guard.
“I think I’ll go check out the Corjuem Fort this Sunday” said I. And they all laughed! “What’s there in that place? A pile of ruins!”
Left with no other option (and hardpressed for time), I guess this was the best alternative for a rainy, sunday morning!
The Cable-stayed bridge, Aldona
After a brief search on wikimapia for road directions, all I could gather was that once you crossed this bridge (at Aldona) the fort was a 5 minute drive.
The Corjuem Fort facade
The view on the outside was indeed impressive and there itself I knew this was going to be an adventure.
Welcome
Portuguese insignia
The entrance gate had a carved insignia which I tried to decipher later at home… and still have not succeeded
The Chapel within the fort wall
It’s interesting how amidst the ruins of the fort, this chapel still stands, bright and hopeful
The fort within
The ramp
The fort is a square structure with ramps at the four corners.
Arches & Ramps
I was informed by an archaelogist, that the binding material for these stones and arches is merely mud… and it still stands!
The Sentinel Post
Two sentinel posts survive the test of time. This is one of them
The shaft of light in the post
Enter into the tiny enclosure and be on guard…
Looking back from the post
… or just look back at the fort and see things differently!
The Well
The well in the centre is unfortunately serving as a garbage dump for insensitive, beer drinking, plastic generating visitors.
Modern Inscriptions
the stones are also witness to random acts of vandalism
Floral Flooring
The entire fort has this unique pattern of vegetation all along the stone floor
The Inhabitants long gone
I have tried to resist adding pictures of all the wildlife in the fort this time… but this one was just irrestible… it’s just a shell left behind… just like the fort
Primitive settlers
Moss… the first conquerors of the earth!
A drop of the past
… and it’s time to turn back. After a light shower, the trees around glistened with drops of rain… I’ve tried capturing the fort too in the distance
The Story:
The Fortress
The Corjuem fort was constructed in the year 1551. It was more like a solitary outpost. One of the defenders of the fort is said to have been Ursula e Lancastre, a Portuguese waif. Determined to succeed in a man’s world she disguised herself as a man and travelled the world, eventually serving as a soldier. It was not until she was captured and stripped that her secret was discovered. This did not put an end to her military career, she married the captain of the guard.
Satellite picture of the Corjuem Fort
Here is an aerial view of the fort that I decided to add as an afterthought  (Courtesy: www.wikimapia.org)
Giovanni... on record 