An afternoon at St.Angelo fort,Kannur,Kerala.

It was in the month of Sep 2011,we were on a holiday to our home town Payyanur. On holidays if i am in Kerala, i will be the most lazy person to start with an idea of an offbeat destination tour.The idea came from none other than my wife for the tour of the Payyambalam beach.In Kerala touring is always fine but the sweating is something which i hate a lot while touring in Kerala.Even though it was the month of Sep, still the sun god has given a lot of sweating with a cool breeze in the country side.I just asked about what other places other than the beach we can see around.She just mentioned about St.Angelo Fort.I told her lets go to the fort first and then by evening we will have our tour towards the Payyambalam beach.We set out for our destination.The Fort was some 55 km from my place,which is Payyanur. We set out for the journey at 2.00 pm in a hired white ambassador,which was still the pride of taxis in Kerala at that point of time.We reached the destination at around 3.10 pm.

St Angelo's Fort,Kannur,Kerala.

The fort from outside looks a grandeur structure made up of late-rite/vettu kallu which is plenty in this side of Malabar.The fort is of almost a triangular shape. This huge fort was built way back in 1505 by Dom Francisco de Almeida who was the first Portuguese viceroy of India.As we enter the fort, on the other side of the fort is the famous fishing bay called Moppila Bay.The colorful boats give a picturesque scene for the tourist to see as we enter through the main gate towards the fort.Nearby the gate the tourist will be greeted with the sight of the canons which stood guard to the erstwhile fortress.

Canon at St Angelo's Fort main gate,Kannur,Kerala.

As the history goes the palace changed hands between different rulers from different parts of the world.It first came with the Portuguese followed by the Dutch and then by the French and finally with the English.One of the caretakers in the fort told me that this fort in between this ensuing battle of control changed hands with the Arakkal Royal Family also which was ruling this part of Kannur in the 18th century.The Fort was to a great extent modernized by the Dutch before it was taken over by the Arakkal Royal Family.

From the top of the Fort

Finally the fort changed hands and fell into the hands of the British empire.As we go around the Fort we can see canons lined up in the walls of the fort,barracks of the fort where the soldiers used to live and lot more in and around the fort.

One of the Canons lined up on the walls of the Fort.

After moving around the fort we went to see the Arabian sea which borders the ends of the fort on one side.The climate was hot and we were enjoying the strong cool breeze from the Arabian sea.St Angelo Fort is now a protected monument and is being looked after by the Archaeological Survey of India.

The Arabian Sea touching the borders of the Fort.

A half day tour of this is worth to see the history and the surrounding's around the Moppila Bay harbor. Spending some time near the sea around the boulder rocks is caution able but worth spending.If children are there do take care.The breezy wind is something which is a good experience along with the view of the fishing harbor.If we are visiting this place its advisable to visit the Arakkal museum.We missed out since we have gone there on a holiday.

Travel Tips
The Fort is around 3 kms distance from the nearest railway station Kannur.

The Fort is nearby the Kannur bus stand.

The Fort is some 120 kms of distance from the nearest Airport which is Calicut.
The proposed Kannur airport will be a boon if it begins operations since the distance will be around 30 kms from the Fort.

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