Fort St. Anthony of Simbor is in Diu in India.
This swashbuckling fort is located on a tiny islet at the mouth of Sahil River (aka Vançoso). Built in 1722 by the Portuguese and the rulers of Gujarat to fight off the pesky pirates of the northern Arabian Sea, this fort was one of the last fortifications built in India by the Portuguese.
With its square stone walls, ruins of a chapel dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua, and an underground tunnel connecting it to the mainland (now in ruins, of course), this fort is a true gem waiting to be discovered.
But wait, there’s more! The fort was once part of Simbor, a tiny 1 square km Portuguese exclave that was subordinate to the government of Diu. It was all good until December 1961, when India swooped in and absorbed both Simbor and Diu.
Fast forward to today, and the Fort of the Sea is undergoing a transformation, with the authorities of Daman and Diu working hard to restore it to its former glory for all you tourists to enjoy. But beware, this fort is often confused with another fort with a similar name called Fortim do Mar, Diu.
So, pack your binoculars and your sense of humor, and join me on this journey to uncover the secrets of Fort St. Anthony of Simbor. Who knows, we might even run into a few pirates along the way!”