- Built
- 1708
- Built by
- British East India Company
- Timings
- 8 am to 6 pm
- Best time
- October to March
- Nearest railway station
- Thalassery
- Distance from Thalassery bus stand
- About 1 km
History
The English traders set up a factory at Thalassery at the end of the 17th century, and in 1708 they built the fort to protect their warehouses of spices. As British power grew along the Malabar coast, the fort took on a larger military role and was used as a command post for the region. It is one of the earliest British forts in Kerala.
What to see
The fort has a square plan, thick laterite walls and a massive gateway with heavy carved doors. You enter by climbing up onto the wall itself, an unusual design meant to make attack difficult. Inside there are lawns and a small gallery of old paintings and photographs of local monuments. A lighthouse stands beside the fort, and from the ramparts you can look out over the Arabian Sea and the town, including the nearby Holy Rosary Church.
Timings and best time
The fort is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm. October to March is the best season; late afternoon is a good time for photographs and a sea breeze.
How to reach
The fort is about 1 km from Thalassery bus stand, and Thalassery also has a railway station on the main west-coast line. Kannur railway station is around 22 km away. Calicut International Airport is roughly 94 km south, while Kannur International Airport is closer. Muzhappilangad Beach, where cars can drive along the sand, is a short drive away. We can plan a north Malabar route taking in Thalassery, Kannur and Bekal.
Also nearby
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