Fort St Angelos

Fort St. Angelos in Kannur (celebrated across military history as Kannur Fort and one of the oldest, most imposing European sea fortresses constructed in India, built in 1505 AD by Dom Francisco de Almeida the first Portuguese Viceroy of the Indies with permission from the Kolathiri Rajah, world famous for its massive triangular laterite bastion walls, hand hewn sea moat separating the fortress from the mainland, British and Dutch ammunition magazines, underground prison dungeons, preserved iron cannon bastions overlooking the Arabian Sea, and scenic vistas of Mopla Bay fishing harbor and Dharmadam Island), located at Burnacherry in Kannur in Kerala, stands as the land of looms and lore's premier colonial military monument.

Standing as a formidable triangular bastion of red laterite stone and lime mortar extending directly into the roaring Arabian Sea, this protected monument of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) witnessed dramatic historic battles, including the four month Siege of Cannanore in 1507, the Dutch East India Company takeover in 1663, sale to the Arakkal Kingdom in 1772, and British conquest in 1790 when it served as the military headquarters for the Malabar region.

It's the home of the expansive sea facing ramparts where heavy cast iron cannons still aim outward across maritime shipping channels, the deep natural sea moat cut directly into solid laterite bedrock through which tidal waters rushed to thwart enemy infantry, the subterranean gunpowder arsenals and vaulted prison barracks where military captives were kept, the historic British lighthouse and military cemetery resting atop the northern parapet, the immaculate manicured green lawns enclosed within fortress walls, and an intensely breezy, evocative coastal ambiance where waves crash continuously against rocky headlands.

It represents a rich 500 year Portuguese Dutch-British military architecture legacy, trans oceanic spice war history, and ASI heritage conservation where laterite ramparts, cannon batteries, Mopla Bay panoramas, and Kannur history unite in Fort St. Angelos.

Located in Burnacherry on the coastal peninsula, it sits just 3 km south of Kannur Main Railway Station (CAN), 2 km from Arakkal Museum and Mopla Bay, 28 km from Kannur International Airport (CNN), and 12 km from Muzhappilangad Drive in Beach, easily accessible by auto rickshaw, town bus, or taxi via Fort Road.

1505 AD Viceroy Almeida Bastions & The Siege of Cannanore

Commissioned by Viceroy Francisco de Almeida, the fortress survived a fierce 1507 siege by the Zamorin of Calicut and Kolathiri forces, who were miraculously forced to retreat after sea shoals of crabs washed ashore to feed the starving garrison.

The Dutch modernized the fort with triangular bastions named Hollandia, Zeelandia, and Frieslandia in 1663, making it virtually impregnable to naval artillery.

Truth is, walking along the sea facing ramparts while sea breeze whips past ancient iron cannons looking out toward Mopla Bay is deeply moving.

Rock Cut Moat, Gunpowder Magazines & Mopla Bay Vista

Hand Cut Sea Moat: A wide defensive trench carved by hand into bedrock, once bridged only by a wooden drawbridge to prevent surprise land invasions.

Mopla Bay & Dharmadam Vistas: The southern bastions offer unobstructed views of traditional fishing dhows anchored in Mopla Bay and coconut groves on Dharmadam Island.

Kannur Heritage & Coastal Circuit

Peninsula Heritage Walk: Sits just 1.5 km from Arakkal Museum, 3 km from Payyambalam Beach, and 2 km from Baby Beach.

District Day Tour: Connects smoothly with Muzhappilangad Drive in Beach (12 km), Parassinikkadavu Snake Park & Temple (18 km), and Thalassery Fort (22 km).

After exploring the historical ramparts of Fort St. Angelos, tour Arakkal Museum, relax at Payyambalam Beach, or tour Kannur.