Aguada Fort in North Goa is divided into two sections: Upper Aguada Fort and Lower Aguada Fort. It was built in 1612 by the Portuguese to guard the territory against the Dutch. The upper part of the fort was also called ‘Fortaleza Real’ while the lower part was called ‘Praca da Santa Catharina.’

The lower fort has a perimeter of a huge protective wall and nine strategically placed bastions along the seashore. One of the bastions protrudes a short distance out into the sea. It is connected to the main fort by means of an elevated causeway. It was called the Queen Maria bastion once upon a time, as it was the tradition back then to designate names to all the bastions of the forts.

Today, this bastion offers visitors amazing views of the sea. Technically it is an extension of the Lower Aguada Fort but it is also popularly known as Sinquerim Fort or Sinquerim Beach Bastion, since it is located on Sinquerim Beach.

From the bastion, one can get splendid views of the northern shoreline which has the beaches of Sinquerim, Candolim, Calangute and Baga amongst others. To the south of the bastion, one can see the other portions of the fortification.