St. Angelo Fort

Kannur, Kerala, India

---

St. Angelo Fort in Kannur, Kerala, was built by the Portuguese Viceroy Dom Francisco de Almeida in 1505 as a strategic military outpost to protect maritime trade routes along the Arabian Sea.

Its distinctive triangular shape is constructed from sturdy laterite stone and includes imposing bastions, a deep moat, and a massive wall separating it from the sea. Over centuries, the fort witnessed control by the Portuguese, Dutch, the Arakkal royal family, and the British, each leaving their mark with additions such as a chapel, prison, palace complex, barracks, and the first lighthouse in Kannur.

The fort’s interiors include dark prison cells once used to confine prisoners, cannons, tombstones, and a restored chapel, reflecting its layered colonial history. Perched on a headland, the fort offers panoramic views over Mappila Bay and nearby Dharmadam Island, making it a significant cultural and historical landmark representing the rich heritage of Kannur and its crucial role in the spice trade and naval warfare.