St. Angelo Fort Historical Facts and Pictures

The St. Angelo Fort is situated 3km from Kannur, in the South Indian state of Kerala.  It was built facing the Arabian Sea in the year 1505 by Dom Francisco de Almeida, the first Portuguese Viceroy of India.

St. Angelo Fort Pictures

In 1507, the fort was attacked by the Indian ruler Zamorin who suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Portuguese. In August 1509 the fort was again attacked by Afonso de Albuquerque who had come to supersede Almeida as the new Governor. Almeida had him imprisoned in the fort after he won the Battle of Diu. However, Afonso was soon released on the arrival of the grand-marshal of Portugal with a large fleet.

St. Angelo Fort

St. Angelo Fort Images

In 1663 the Dutch captured the fort from the Portuguese and reinforced its fortifications. It was later sold to a native king, Ali Raja of Arakkal, in the year 1772. In 1790, the British took control of the fort, renovated it and used it as their chief military base in Malabar till 1947.

Inside of St. Angelo Fort

St. Angelo Fort Inside Corridor

The interior of the fort houses the army barracks, a watch tower, a refurbished chapel and an early oil lamp house.  There is also a gravestone in the fort compound, belonging to a Dutch commander’s wife and two children, with engravings on it.

St. Angelo Fort Inside

Grave Stone Inside the St. Angelo Fort

Chapel Inside the St. Angelo Fort

Watch Tower Inside the Fort

The fort is primarily built out of laterite and is fairly well preserved. It has two entrances, an old entrance which was probably rendered redundant after the construction of the new and larger Main entrance.

Entrance of St Angelo Fort

St Angelo Fort Entrance

St Angelo Fort Entrance Pictures

St. Angelo Fort Photos

A remarkable feature of the fort is a protruding sea wall which separates the rough sea and the inland water. The bay surrounding it has been converted to a modern fishing harbor. A painting of this fort and the fishing ferry behind it can be seen in the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam.

Inside View of St. Angelo Fort

At present the fort is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. It serves as an important historical monument and a popular tourist attraction.