Fort Dansborg

Fort Dansborg features a trapezoidal structure measuring 60 meters in length with high ceilings, guard rooms, and camel hump shaped domes along the Bay of Bengal.

The fortress became operational in 1620 when Danish Admiral Ove Gjedde secured an agreement with Thanjavur king Ragunatha Nayak to establish a trading settlement.

The fort holds exhibits of European ships, stone sculptures of Hindu deities, Danish manuscripts, weapons, and marine specimens including dolphin skeletons.

The State Department of Archaeology of Tamil Nadu manages this museum, which displays artifacts and documents explaining Danish colonial presence in India.

Fort Dansborg remains the second largest Danish fortress after Kronborg and contains the first Protestant mission established on Indian territory.

Location: Tharangambadi taluk

Inception: 1620

Operator: State Department of Archaeology of the Government of Tamil Nadu

GPS coordinates: 11.02460,79.85580

Latest update: May 27, 2025 11:45