Mannar Fort, Portuguese fort in Mannar Island, Sri Lanka.
Mannar Fort is a fortification on Mannar Island with a square footprint and four corner bastions. The surrounding walls measure roughly 15 meters in length and 4 meters in height, enclosing the central space.
The Portuguese built the fort in 1560 to control the region. The Dutch took over in 1658, and the British occupied it in 1795.
The fort shows European construction methods using granite stones and bricks that were typical of colonial times. You can see today how these materials were fitted together into the walls.
The fort sits on Mannar Island and is reached via a bridge from the mainland. It is managed by the Department of Archaeology and open for visitors to explore.
Two former prison cells sit at opposite ends of the building, each with small steel steps mounted on the walls. These details reveal how the fort was actually used during the occupation periods.
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