In a very remote and sparsely inhabited area of Pernem lies a small, charming and abandoned Alorna fort. The 17th-century crumbling monument is located at a distance of 40 km from the capital city of Goa, Panaji. The Alorna fort is on the banks of the Chapora River.
Alorna Fort is said to be built by Bhonsles of Sawantwadi with high defense mechanisms to withstand the invasions by the Marathas from the north. It was captured by Marquis of Castello Novo who was later knows as Marquis of Alorna.
The fort was in his possession till 1746, later captured by Dom Frederico Guilherme de Souza and then back to the Portuguese in 1781. The Alorna fort is in ruined condition but the scenic beauty en route and also from the fort is breathtaking. One can see fields and mountains from the fort. There is only one building inside the fort and no other inhabitants nearby but a village panchayat. The fort will go through some restorations and renovations this year.
Facing river Sal and green paddy fields from Menkurem side, the river is good for water sports and ecotourism. Most of the trees grown in the region are the banana.
The last remains of a chapel that might have existed can be observed as the only building left standing. There is a deep well to its left. The two watchtowers in the front corners are intact, but those at the back have disappeared. The battlements, used to haul canon, are still visible and well preserved.
The Alorna fort falls in the village of Alorna which is 30 kilometers from Mapusa. The NH 17 is just ten kilometers from Alorna village. If you have landed in the capital city of Goa that is Panaji then also you can easily reach fort Alorna by hiring a car taxi/bus for easy transportation. You need to travel only 40kilometers to reach Alorna from Panaji.
Today, Alorna reveals nothing of its violent past. It is one of the quietest, remote, idyllic and peaceful places in Goa. What is perhaps most surprising is that that there is not even the slightest trace of a town ever having been here. There are only one or two scattered huts nearby.