- Built
- 1505
- Timings
- About 9 am to 6 pm, daily
- Entry fee
- Free
- Nearest railway station
- Kannur (under 4 km)
- Distance from Kannur town
- About 3 km
History
The fort was built in 1505 under Francisco de Almeida, the first Portuguese viceroy of India, using local red laterite stone. It changed hands to the Dutch in 1663, and in 1790 the British took it and made it one of their main military stations on the Malabar coast. The fort still falls within the Kannur cantonment area.
What to see
The fort has a roughly triangular plan with thick walls, strong bastions and a moat on the landward side. Inside you can see old barracks, a chapel, cannons and small, dark cells once used to hold prisoners. Look out for the remains of an early lighthouse, said to be the first in Kannur.
From the ramparts there are views over Mappila Bay, a natural fishing harbour, and across to Dharmadam island. Sunset from the walls is the highlight for many visitors.
Around Kannur
Kannur has long been called the district of looms and lores, thanks to its handloom weaving and its temple traditions, and it is the heartland of Theyyam, the ritual performance of north Kerala. The Theyyam season runs mainly from November to April; ask us if you would like to include a performance in your trip.
Timings, season and how to reach
The fort is open every day, roughly from 9 am to 6 pm, and entry is free, including for cameras. The drier months from October to March are the most pleasant, though the monsoon has its own appeal. Kannur railway station is under 4 km away and the main bus stand about 2 km. Kannur International Airport at Mattanur is the closest airport; Kozhikode (Calicut) airport is another option.
Also nearby
Plan it with us
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