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Diu is a town in Diu district in the union territory of Daman and
Diu, India.
The town of Diu lies at the eastern end of Diu Island, and is known for
its fortress and old Portuguese Cathedral. It is also a fishing town.
The Diu Fort, is located on the west coast of India in Diu, a Union Territory, administered by the Government of India. The fort was built by the Portuguese during their colonial rule of the Diu island. The Diu town is located to the west of the fort. The fort was built in 1535 subsequent to a defense alliance forged by Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat and the Portuguese when Humayun, the Mughal Emperor waged war to annex this territory. Some additions made in 1541 and the fort was strengthened over the years, till 1546. Portuguese ruled over this territory from 1537 (from the year they took control of the fort and also the Diu town fully) till 1961 (for 424 years, the longest period by any colonial rule in the world) they were forced to quit only in December 1961 (even though India became an independent country in 1947) during a military action called the Operation Vijay launched by the Government of India, where-after Diu was merged with India and became a centrally administered Union Territory. This massive, fairly well-preserved Portuguese fort with its double moat must once have been impregnable. But years of sea erosion and neglect are leading to its slow collapse. Cannonballs litter the place, and the ramparts have a superb array of cannons. The lighthouse, is Diu’s highest point, with a beam that reaches 32km in every directoin. There are several small chapels, one holding engraved tombstone fragments. Part of the fort also serves as the island’s jail.
The Diu Fort, is located on the west coast of India in Diu, a Union Territory, administered by the Government of India. The fort was built by the Portuguese during their colonial rule of the Diu island. The Diu town is located to the west of the fort. The fort was built in 1535 subsequent to a defense alliance forged by Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat and the Portuguese when Humayun, the Mughal Emperor waged war to annex this territory. Some additions made in 1541 and the fort was strengthened over the years, till 1546. Portuguese ruled over this territory from 1537 (from the year they took control of the fort and also the Diu town fully) till 1961 (for 424 years, the longest period by any colonial rule in the world) they were forced to quit only in December 1961 (even though India became an independent country in 1947) during a military action called the Operation Vijay launched by the Government of India, where-after Diu was merged with India and became a centrally administered Union Territory. This massive, fairly well-preserved Portuguese fort with its double moat must once have been impregnable. But years of sea erosion and neglect are leading to its slow collapse. Cannonballs litter the place, and the ramparts have a superb array of cannons. The lighthouse, is Diu’s highest point, with a beam that reaches 32km in every directoin. There are several small chapels, one holding engraved tombstone fragments. Part of the fort also serves as the island’s jail.
Fortim do Mar
Built right at the mouth of the creek, the fortress of Fortim do Mar (Sea Fort or Pani-Kotha) is a magnificent stone structure in the sea. Approximately one nautical mile from the Diu jetty, it also has a light house and a small chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Sea. The fortress creates a beautiful view whether seen from the jetty, from the villages of Ghoghla or from Diu proper, or from the Fort itself. Again, special light effects at night give it mesmerizing beauty.
