The historic remains of the Anchunthengu Fort in Thiruvananthapuram built by the English East India Company in the 17th century, and an adjoining cemetery are noteworthy relics of this first major British trading station on the Malabar coast.

Significance First Major British Trading Station on the Malabar Coast.

General Information

Location 36 Kms From Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Origin 17th Century.

Built By British East India Company.

Thalaserry fort, located at a distance of 22 kms from Kannur constructed in 1708 AD was the military centre of the British.

In 1708 AD, when the British East India Company established its settlement on the Malabar Coast, they built the Thalaserry Fort, as a testimonial to their colonial imperialism.

The square fort, with its massive walls, secret tunnels to the sea and intricately carved huge doors, is an imposing structure. The fort was once the nucleus of Thalaserry's development.

It is now a historical monument. The Sports Authority Of India Gymnastic Centre, an old Muslim mosque, the Jagannatha Temple and Thiruvangadi Sree Rama Swami temple are other attractions nearby.

General Information

Location 22 Kms From Kannur, Kerala.

Origin 1708 AD.

Main Attraction Jagannatha Temple, Thiruvadi Sree Rama Swami Temple.

Built By British

Also known as Dutch Palace, the Mattancherry palace with its medieval charm is situated at Palace Road, Mattancherry,10km from Ernakulam city, Kochi, Kerala. Built by the Portuguese and presented to the Raja of Kochi Veera Kerala Varma (1537-65) in 1555 AD, it took on its present popular name 'Dutch Palace' after 1663, when the Dutch carried out some extensions and renovations in the palace. The rajas also made more improvements to it. Today, it is a portrait gallery of the Cochin Rajas and notable for some of the best mythological murals in India, which are in the best traditions of Hindu Temple Art.

The entrance to the Mattancherry Palace compound is through two arches which are typically Portuguese in character and a flight of steps through a portico on the south, gives access to a suite of public rooms on the upper level of the palace. The Palace with two floors built around a central courtyard follows the traditional Kerala style of architecture known as 'nalukettus'. From the outside, the palace looks European in character with scraped masonry walls and round-headed windows and doors but its sloping tiled roof and wooden balconies are indigenous features. Inside the inner court, there stands a small temple dedicated to 'Pazhayannur Bhagavati', the protective goddess of the Kochi Royal family. Two more temples are situated on either side of the Palace dedicated to Lord Krishna and Lord Siva. The palace, with the interiors panelled with wood has exhibits of the Rajas of Kochi like ceremonial robes, headdresses, weapons, palanquins, furniture but the main feature is the series of astonishing murals, depicting scenes from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and the Puranic legends connected with Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, Kumara, and Durga painted on the walls as well as the portraits of the rajas. The paintings cover a wide range of themes from the 'Puthra Kameshti Yagam' to Rama's return to Ayodya after vanquishing King Ravana of Lanka. The paintings totally cover nearly 1000 sq.ft in area and date from early as the 16th century through mid nineteenth century and are found in the bedchambers on the west side of the palace, in four chambers upstairs, and in two low ceiling rooms that are entered by a steep stairway. These beautiful and extensive paintings are fine examples of Kerala mural paintings best known for its unique style than the technique.

Bekal fort, which is the largest and the best-preserved fort in Kerala is the most important monument of the region.
This fort, located on the highway, is believed to have been built in the 1650's by Sivappa Naik of the Ikkeri dynasty. Later it was transferred to Hyder Ali of Mysore and then to the British.

The sea bastions, underground tunnels and the observation tower are impressive. An old mosque is situated very near the fort, which is believed to be built by Tipu Sultan. History sleeps here among the lonely battlements of the Bekal Fort by the sea shore.

This landscape of ethereal quality, its never-ending grasslands and sea views possess all the potential to be developed into a superb tourist destination. The Bekal fort is located on a vast 35-acre headland that runs into the Arabian Sea.

This imposing structure of laterite rising 130 ft. above sea level has a chequered history of 300 years ,which adds to its interest as an archaeology site. Due to its historic relevance, the fort is controlled by the Archaeological Survey of India

General Information

Speciality Largest Fort In Kerala.

Location Bekal, Kerala.

Built By Sivappa Naik

Built In 1650 A.D.

St. Angelo Fort, the sea front fort was constructed in 1505 AD by the first Portuguese Viceroy Don Francisco De Almeda with the consent of the ruling Kolathiri Raja.

After changing hands from the Portuguese to the Dutch and then to the English, the fort became one of the important military centers of the British in Malabar. A huge triangular structure built of laterite, with a moat and strong flanking bastions.

St. Angelo Fort was captured by the Dutch from the Portugese in 1663 AD and sold off to Ali Raja of Kannur in 1772 AD. The British rebuilt it and made it the most important military base in Malabar for their soldiers during the British colonial rule, after capturing it in 1790 AD.

The fort, which is now under the Archaeological Survey of India, offers fascinating views of the Mappila Bay fishing harbour and Dharmadam Island.

Significance

Historical Served as a Military Base for the British.

General Information

Location Kannur, Kerala.

Origin 1505 AD.

Built By Don Francisco De Almeda.

Palakkad Fort is one of the best preserved Forts in Kerala, was built by Mysore's Haider Ali in 1766 AD. In 1790, the Fort was taken over and renovated by the British.This old granite Fort is situated in the very heart of Palakkad town.
Built By Haider Ali in 1790 . Also known as Tipu's Fort, Palakkad Fort was supposedly built to hasten communication between Coimbatore and the West Coast. In 1784 AD, after a siege lasting eleven days, the British Colonel, Fullerton stormed the Fort. It later fell into the hands of the Zamorin's troops but was recaptured by the British in 1790 AD. Martyr's Column, Open Air Auditorium called "Rappadi" are located in the spacious grounds of the Fort, now preserved by the Archaeological Survey Of India. There is also a Children's park on one of the sides of the Fort.

Situated on the northern fringe of the Vypeen Island, Pallippuram Fort was built in 1507 AD, by the Portugese. It is considered to be the first fort built in India by the Europeans.

It witnessed several battles between the Portugese and the Dutch. The hexagonal-shaped fort has three storeys and is now a protected monument.

One of the oldest existing European monuments in India, Pallippuram Fort was captured by the Dutch in 1661 AD and finally sold to the State of Travancore in 1789 AD. The Catholic Church at Pallippuram is an important pilgrim centre for the Christians.

Significance One of Oldest remaining European Monuments in India.

General Information

Location Ernakulam, Kerala.

Origin 1503 AD.

Built In 1507 AD

Built By Portuguese