Monday, 05 October 2009 11:06

Moti Daman Fort Daman

About:

The Moti Daman Fort, also known as the "Fort of St. Jerome," is a historical Portuguese fort located in Daman, which is part of the Union Territory of Daman and Diu. This fort stands as a testament to the rich colonial history and architectural grandeur of the Portuguese era in India. The fort is a popular tourist attraction with its scenic views, old churches, and lush gardens.  



The terraces close to the top of the wall are connected to the inner ground surface by open flight of steps at many places. All along the inner wall, there are barracks for defense personals. The inscription above the southern (land) gate mentions that this gate along with the bastions adjacent to it was completed in 1581 AD after the Mughal invasion in Akbar's reign. The inscription on the Northern (sea) gate gives the date of 1593 AD for the completion of the Fort wall. On the Northern side within the palaces, the Secretariat and other official buildings. A large number of Portuguese gentry and their families reside within the Fort.

Location info:

Coordinates:20.4143° N, 72.8328° E
District: Daman
Nearest City: Mumbai
Best time to visit: October to May.

Climate/Weather:

Summer- Max 36, Min 20; Winter- Max 26, Min 20.

History:

The Moti Daman Fort was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century around 1559. The fort served as a defensive structure and was part of the Portuguese colonial rule over Daman. It has a large area of approximately 30,000 square meters, surrounded by thick stone walls and bastions. Inside, the fort has old churches, colonial buildings, and a lighthouse, reflecting Portuguese architectural style and heritage.

Interesting things to do:

Explore the impressive walls and bastions of the fort. Visit the St. Jerome Church, which is located within the fort premises. Enjoy the panoramic views of the Daman Ganga River from the fort. Take a walk through the gardens and pathways around the fort. Capture beautiful sunset views over the Arabian Sea.

Interesting things to Visit:

St. Jerome Church:
A well-preserved Portuguese church within the fort premises.

The Lighthouse:Offers a great view of the surrounding area and the sea. 

Lighthouse:
Lighthouse is basically built for an aid for navigation and pilot age at sea; a lighthouse is a tower building or framework sending out light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire. Lighthouses are generally used to mark hazardous coastlines, dangerous shoals away from the coast, and safe entries to harbors and can also help in aerial navigation. Because of contemporary electronic navigational aids, the number of operational lighthouses has declined to less than 1,500 worldwide. Despite all, Lighthouse in Daman continues to be an important landmark in Daman.



The Governor’s Palace:
An old Portuguese building worth visiting.

The Cannons:
View the old cannons placed strategically on the fort's walls.

Mobile range info:

Most mobile networks have good coverage in Daman, but some areas inside the fort might have weaker signals due to the thick walls.

How to reach?

By Air: The nearest airport is Mumbai (about 170 km away). Daman also has a small airport but with limited connectivity.
By Train: The nearest railway station is Vapi, about 12 km from Daman, well-connected with major cities like Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Surat.
Road Transport:State connected to Bombay- 93 kms, Ahmedabad- 67 kms, Diu- 763 kms, Panaji via Bombay- 87 kms.

Nearest Visiting places:

Jampore Beach:
A serene and popular beach located about 6 km from Moti Daman Fort.

Nani Daman Fort: Another Portuguese fort located nearby in Nani Daman.

Devka Beach:
A beautiful beach with amusement parks and eateries.

Somnath Mahadev Temple:
A popular temple in the region.

Nearest Petrol Pump:

Petrol pumps are available in the town of Daman, around 2-3 km from the fort.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

Hotel Miramar: A luxury beachfront hotel with excellent amenities.

The Deltin: A premium hotel with casino facilities. 

Hotel Sovereign: A budget-friendly option located in Daman town.

Things to carry:

Comfortable walking shoes Water bottles and snacks Sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen Camera or smartphone for photography Umbrella or raincoat if visiting during the monsoon season

Tips & Suggestions:

Visit during the winter months (October to February) for pleasant weather. Wear comfortable footwear as there’s a lot of walking involved. Keep some cash handy, as card payments might not be accepted everywhere. Respect the historical site and avoid littering or defacing the walls.

Help Line/Phone Number:

Police Station:100
Daman Police Station:
+91 260 225 4094
Society/Community Phone Number:
Links:www.daman.nic.in

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