Khorguem

Khorguem or Corjuem is a small island that is very picturesque and that is situated 2 km from Aldona in the Bardez taluka of the north Goa district. It is well connected with Aldona by a road bridge that is a major source of attraction as it is built according to the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge.

An Old Portuguese fort known as the Corjuem fort is another attraction in Khorguem. This fort built in 1705 is one of the only two inland forts that are surviving made of pitted laterite. In the eighteenth century this fort protected the Portuguese from the Marathas, Bhonsles and the Rane Rajputs. The fort also has an interesting story according to which an ambitious Portuguese woman named Ursula e Lancastre landed up here as a soldier as she was determined to succeed in a man’s world and also dressed like one.

One can see a small chapel dedicated to Mae de Deus (Mother of God) whose feast is celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. There is also a school known as the Mae de Deus High School. For health care there is a Health Centre and the Corjuem Gymkhana Club. The main Hindu deity is Malambadevi Satpurusha who has six affiliate temples. There are ferry services available from Aldona that take you to Corjuem. Also a railway line is located nearby.