Fort Santo Estevão (Fortaleza de Santo Estevão in Portuguese) is a military structure erected in Santo Estevão Island, in Goa, by the Portuguese.
Built on the highest point of Santo Estevão Island, it was originally built as a watchtower to guard the Mandovi River, in 1550.[1] It was the easternmost defensive structure in the Velhas Conquistas. After the first Maratha incursions against Goa, in 1666-1668, during which they destroyed a local church, The structure was expanded into a small fort.[1][2] In 1683, the Marathas attacked Goa and managed to breach into the island of Santo Estevão because the corps of auxiliaries tasked with defending it fled from their enemy.[3] The Marathas captured the fort and massacred its garrison.[4]
After the annexation of the Novas Conquistas, the fort lost its military purpose.[1] It was abandoned in 1811 by decree of the Viceroy of India Dom Bernardo José Maria da Silveira e Lorena.[5]
Restoration works were undertaken on the fort in 2012.[1]