Cranganore Fort, Portuguese colonial fort in Kodungallur, India.
Cranganore Fort is a Portuguese fortification in Kodungallur built with thick laterite stone walls positioned at the mouth of the Periyar River. The ruins reveal watchtowers and stone structures that once formed a complete defensive system overlooking the waterway.
Portuguese builders established this stronghold in 1523 as their first major military installation in India, naming it Fortaleza da São Tomé. Dutch forces attacked and partially destroyed the structure in 1663, ending its role as a European power center.
The fort marked the arrival of European military power on the Malabar Coast and shaped how trade was controlled in this region for centuries. Walking through the ruins, you can feel how strategically it was positioned to dominate the river and the surrounding settlements.
The fort site is accessible from Kodungallur town center, and you can explore the stone walls and ruins on foot at your own pace. The riverside location means the ground can be uneven in places, so wear appropriate footwear for walking around the remains.
This fort was one part of the larger Nedumkotta fortification network, designed to protect trade routes and guard against threats from neighboring regions. The integrated system of multiple forts working together reveals how European powers thought about regional control in this period.
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