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| Naroa Fort | |
|---|---|
| Part ofGoa | |
| Ilha de Piedade,India | |
 The Holy Spirit Chapel is the only standing remnant of the former fortress | |
%2c_India_Portuguesa.png) Location of Forte de Naroa inIlha de Piedade | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Fort |
| Owner | Government of Goa |
| Controlled by |  India |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Condition | Ruins |
| Location | |
  Naroa Fort Coordinates of the ruins Show map of Goa Naroa Fort Naroa Fort (India) Show map of India | |
| Coordinates | 15°32′17″N73°55′21″E / 15.537950°N 73.922409°E /15.537950; 73.922409 |
| Height | 10 m |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1500s |
| Built by | unknown |
| Materials | Laterite stones and mud |
| Demolished | Yes |
| Battles/wars | unknown |
| Events | Abandoned in 1834 |
| Garrison information | |
| Current commander | Diogo da Silveira (1710) |
| Garrison | n/a |
| Occupants | none |
Fort Naroa was situated on the eastern tip of the Island ofDivar, on theIlhas de Goa (Goan islands) near the oldcapital of Goa, in theVelhas Conquistas. It was originally built as a military camp by theDeccan sultanates in the 1500s. After itscapture by the Portuguese, it was rebuilt and reinforced to protect the eastern border against theBijapur Sultanate.[1] After the incorporation of theNovas Conquistas regions, the fort lost its sole and primary purpose and it was subsequently abandoned by1834 to now be in ruins.
Today, the Fort exists only as a wall of about 10–12 meters in length and about 6 meters high. A unique feature that can be seen on this wall is a semi-circular protrusion, facing a window of the church across the road, which may once have been a small balcony, – enough for a single person to stand.
The Holy Spirit church is all that remains from the fort. A Captain of the Fort, Diogo da Silveira is said to have constructed the church in 1710. Though this church is today popularly known as the Holy Spirit Church of Naroa, Divar, the icon of the St Thomas the Apostle adorns the central part of the main altar.[2]