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.
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