Fort Fredrick

Fort Fredrick is a fortress on Swami Rock peninsula in Trincomalee with several bastions and defensive walls built from local granite and stone. The structure spreads across the site with various rooms and sections that reflect the military function of earlier periods.

Portuguese forces built the original fortress in 1623, and the Dutch reconstructed it in 1665. The British took control in 1782 and maintained it through the colonial period.

The fort bears the name of a British military commander and holds meaning for the community as a place where different religious and military purposes once coexisted. The link between fortress walls and the destroyed temple site remains visible in the foundation stones and structural remains that speak to multiple eras.

The site is reachable on foot or by car via Konesar Road, though some areas remain under military control. Visitors should check which sections are open before arriving, as access can vary depending on security situations.

Within the fort stands Wellesley Lodge, a Georgian-style building named after the future Duke of Wellington. This structure once served as the officers' quarters and displays the British architectural style of the colonial era.