The short answer
Nani Daman Fort (St Jerome's Fort): what visitors should know first
A good, short visit that works as a half-day with the church and the Jain temple. It is smaller and easier than Moti Daman, but the setting by the river and the working fish market make it more lively. Give it 1 to 2 hours.
History and context
The story behind Nani Daman Fort (St Jerome's Fort)
The Portuguese built the Fort of St Jerome in 1627 to guard against the Mughals, according to Outlook Traveller. Incredible India describes it as covering about 12,250 sq m with three bastions and two large gateways, and says a statue of St Jerome stands at the main gate.
The Church of Our Lady of the Sea is inside, described as an extension of a chapel built in 1627.
Useful facts
Nani Daman Fort (St Jerome's Fort) facts at a glance
- Location
- Nani Daman, north bank of the Daman Ganga
- Experience type
- Small colonial fort with church
- Known for
- St Jerome statue, river gateway, church
- Built
- 1627, by the Portuguese
- Time or schedule
- Half a day with the church and Jain temple
Why it matters
Why Nani Daman Fort (St Jerome's Fort) is worth your time
Nani Daman Fort is smaller than its sibling across the river, but it is the part of Daman that is still a working town, with a fish market, sweet shops and a Jain temple tucked in alongside a Catholic church. That mix is the real Daman story: a Portuguese colonial outpost sitting in a Gujarati trading landscape.
It also helps you make sense of the geography. The fort stands at a crossing of the Daman Ganga, and from it you can see how the old town and the walled Portuguese quarter on the south bank watched one another. After a day here you will read Moti Daman Fort differently.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The river gateway
A grand entrance faces the Daman Ganga with a statue of St Jerome at the front.
- 02
Church of Our Lady of the Sea
The fort's best interior, with panelling and domes.
- 03
Town setting
Markets, sweets shops and the fish market sit within a short walk.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Arrive by the grand gateway that opens towards the river and look up at the statue of St Jerome, the saint the fort is named after. Walk the courtyard, then go into the Church of Our Lady of the Sea, which is covered on its own page and is the most rewarding interior inside. The walls and bastions are modest in height, but the position on the river bank is what the Portuguese chose for control of the trade.
A Jain temple lies to the north of the fort, and from parts of the fort you look over the fish market on the river side, so go early if you prefer a calmer scene. The area around the fort is Nani Daman's old commercial heart, with markets, sweet shops and snack stalls within a short walk.
Plan this for the cooler part of the day. A lunch in town and a rest before a late-afternoon beach visit is a comfortable rhythm, and it leaves Moti Daman Fort for another morning.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Go early or late; the courtyard has little shade
- Dress modestly for the church and Jain temple
- Keep valuables secure near the market lanes
- Allow time for the church and Jain temple on the same visit
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Nani Daman, north bank of the Daman Ganga
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 hours with the church
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon, October to February
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Mostly flat with short walks between the gate, church and temple. Seating is limited and the courtyard is exposed to sun. Autos and cars can reach the gate; avoid the narrow lanes around the fish market in the hottest hours.
- Tickets and access
- Access practice and any fee are not confirmed in the sources I could open; check at the gate. Modest dress for the church and the Jain temple, and no leather items inside the Jain temple.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Nani Daman Fort (St Jerome's Fort)
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices are live on the partner site.
Travelling with parents?
Mostly flat with short walks between the gate, church and temple. Seating is limited and the courtyard is exposed to sun. Autos and cars can reach the gate; avoid the narrow lanes around the fish market in the hottest hours.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is Nani Daman Fort worth visiting?
Yes, as a short stop. It is smaller than Moti Daman but has the church, a Jain temple and the working riverside.
When was it built?
1627 according to the sources I could open.
Is there an entry fee?
I could not confirm; ask at the gate or check the official pages.
Sources and further reading
- Incredible India: Daman heritage
- Outlook Traveller: Daman, in high spirits
- Incredible India: guide to Daman's attractions
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
