The short answer
Nanus Fort (Nanuz Fort): what visitors should know first
Go only if the 1852 Sattari revolt interests you and you are happy with a rough, undeveloped site. Access roads are poor, there are no visitor facilities, and it is a long drive from the beaches. Most families will prefer Corjuem or Alorna; confirm the route locally first.
History and context
The story behind Nanus Fort (Nanuz Fort)
The fort is described in local accounts as a 17th-century structure, with a popular tradition linking its origin to Shivaji, and it later came under Portuguese control. Sources differ on details and the structure has not been formally surveyed by the state archaeology directorate.
Its best-documented moment is the revolt of 1852, when Deepaji Rane and his followers captured the Portuguese-held fort on 26 January. The fort is in ruins today, and the state has said it wants to restore it, asking the Archaeological Survey of India or its own archives and archaeology department to take the work on.
Useful facts
Nanus Fort (Nanuz Fort) facts at a glance
- Location
- Sattari taluka, North Goa district, in the eastern hill country
- Experience type
- Ruined fort and historic site, undeveloped
- Known for
- The 1852 revolt led by Deepaji Rane
- Built
- Described as 17th century; origins are debated
- Access
- Rough roads; no facilities; confirm route locally
- Time or schedule
- Republic Day guard of honour held at the site since 2023
Why it matters
Why Nanus Fort (Nanuz Fort) is worth your time
Nanus Fort belongs to a part of Goa history that beach itineraries leave out. In January 1852 the Rane family of Sattari, led by Deepaji Rane, rose against Portuguese attempts to bring Sattari under tighter control, and the fort was captured on 26 January 1852. The state now marks the event with a guard of honour at the site on Republic Day.
That gives the ruin a significance well beyond what remains standing. It is one of the few places that connects Goa's hill country, rather than its coast, to the story of resistance to Portuguese rule. If you want to understand the Goa behind the beaches, it is worth the trip, provided you adjust your expectations to a rough, unrestored site.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The 1852 revolt
Read about Deepaji Rane's uprising before you go; it is what gives the ruin its meaning.
- 02
Sattari's hill country
The drive passes forest, small villages and areas most coastal visitors never see.
- 03
Republic Day guard of honour
The state marks the 1852 capture at the fort each 26 January, if you want to see it in a ceremonial setting.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Plan this as a half-day excursion into Sattari, not a beach-day add-on. The route heads inland through Valpoi, the taluka's small market town, and then onto narrower roads towards the fort. Local advice matters here: the way in is undeveloped, and the Chief Minister has appealed to locals to help acquire land for a proper road, so ask a driver or someone in Valpoi to confirm the final stretch before you commit.
On site there is little to interpret. Expect ruined walls, vegetation and open views of forest and hills. The point is the place itself and what happened there, so read a short account of the 1852 revolt beforehand. Take water, sturdy shoes and a hat, and do not climb broken walls.
Build the day around Sattari rather than the fort alone. Combine it with the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary or a stop in Valpoi, and head back to the coast before dark, as lighting and signage on the rural roads are minimal.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Ask in Valpoi for the current road condition before the final stretch
- Take water, snacks and sturdy shoes; there are no facilities
- Do not climb unstable walls
- Return to the coast before dark
- Do not plan this as a short stop; allow most of a half-day
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Sattari taluka, in the eastern hills; roughly 45–60 km from the North Goa beaches
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours on site, plus about 1.5 hours each way
- Best time
- November to February; avoid the monsoon when tracks are slippery
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- This is not an easy site for older or less mobile visitors: the fort is in ruins, there is no formal path, seating or shade, and road access is rough. Only attempt it with a local driver or guide and a reasonable level of fitness.
- Tickets and access
- The fort is not a developed visitor site. No ticketing, opening hours or facilities are published, and it is reported not to be on the state's protected monuments list. Ask in Valpoi or at the Goa Tourism office for current road conditions.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Nanus Fort (Nanuz 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?
This is not an easy site for older or less mobile visitors: the fort is in ruins, there is no formal path, seating or shade, and road access is rough. Only attempt it with a local driver or guide and a reasonable level of fitness.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is Nanus Fort worth visiting?
Only for history. It is a ruin with no facilities, but it is tied to the 1852 revolt against Portuguese rule and sits in an uncrowded part of Goa.
Can I drive all the way to the fort?
Access has been reported as difficult, and the state has sought land for a proper road. Ask locally in Valpoi before committing.
Is it suitable for senior travellers?
Generally not. The terrain is rough, there is no seating or shade, and the drive is long. It is better suited to fit, independent visitors.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
