Aguada Fort, which crowns the rocky flattened top of the headland, is the best-preserved Portugese bastion in Goa. Built in 1612 to protect the northern shores of the Mandovi estuary from Dutch and Maharatha raiders, it is home to several natural springs, the first source of drinking water available to ships arriving in Goa after the long sea voyage from Lisbon. On the north side of the fort, a rampart of red-brown late rite juts into the bay to form a jetty between two small sandy coves.