Information on Kannur Fort (Kannur, Kerala) - History & Architecture

Kannur Fort also called as St. Angelo's Fort is a magnificent fort standing in the cost of Arabian Sea for more than 600 years. It was the first fort built by the Portugal, who came here as spice traders and named it the St. Angelo Fort of Cananore of the Malabar Coast. It is just 3 Km from the Kannur main town towards the west of cantonment area of Kannur District, Kerala State in India. It is a heritage monument of India under Sea Fort category.

Kannur Fort Architecture

Kannur Fort area was carefully chosen by the Portugal. Their first intention was safe guarding them self in a large fortification, to store trading goods and to access over by sea. This place is little bit higher from the sea level and stands amidst on the sea rocks naturally laying there in large stretch. This fort followed the European architectural way. Its fortification is with big thick walls facing the sea side and deep trenches on the other eastern side of the fort. The primary materials used here in the construction are literate stones, sea rocks, large clay bricks and lime stone paste for filling works. It had large granary to store goods and materials of trade. There is a vast garrison place inside the fort. They do build a Chapel here for worship and it's still standing as a holy place. There are many watch towers to watch the Sea and towards the land area too. This fort is fitted with small and large cannons on the all sides of the fortified areas. It has one of the oldest Light House inside the fort complex, which is lighted up in the night by huge oil lit lamp, it is still present there. But with the colonial interest in the Malabar Coast by the Dutch, French and British, it was modernized many times according to their needs and interest.

Kannur Fort History

Kannur Fort was built in 1505 by Francisco de Almeida, who held the post of Viceroy to India. It was in dispute since in Kannur. First it was opposed by the local King's named kolathiri and Zamorin, who lost the battle in the Siege of Canannore in the year 1507. It also saw the advent of the Dutch's and they took it under its control in the year 1663 from the Portuguese. The Dutch Imperialist was responsible to built many infrastructures with in the fort and maintained well trade and commerce. In 1772 this fort came in the hand of local clan of Arakkal named Ali Raja. It is said that the Dutch sold the fort to this local clan. Finally it was in the hands of British from 1790 to 1947. The British used this fort a garrision for the Malabar Coast areas in their colonial interest. This fort has witnessed many colonial wars in the past 500 years and many of its structures were damaged by its local hostility. Since this fort was built, it became the landmark for Kannur town. Hence it as called as Kannur Fort by its local peoples. Because of this fort this area developed in trade and commerce since the colonial times, a new ferry was built here. New market places emerged. These are still in existence here. The Indian government has listed this fort as a historical monument and a heritage site in Kannur.

Kannur Fort Tourism Importance

Kannur Fort is a unique scenic beauty, when viewed from the sea and land. It stands alight on the cost of Arabian Sea. It is a European architectural marvel left in India. Among the sea forts situated in India, it is the beautiful fort one must see, when you come to Kannur.