Forts around Chennai

1. ALAMPARAI FORT

Duration : 2 hrs 30 mins.

Alamparai was a seaport during ancient times. The 17th century fort in a village called kadapakkam (50 kms from Mahabalipuram) was built in Mughal era. The fort however was destroyed during British period in India. it was further destroyed by the 2004 earthquake. This place is calm and worth for photo shoots. It has backwaters and nice views.

credits

2. VELLORE FORT

Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins.

It is a 16th century fort in Vellore city. The fort has a church, mosque and a temple which is dedicated to Lord Siva named as Jalagandeeswarar and is noted for its sculptures. It has a big marriage hall adorned with elegant engravings and monolithic sculptures. to know more about the fort and other places in vellore please click on the "credits" link below.

credits

3. DANISH FORT

duration: 5 hrs 35 mins

Also known as fort Dansborg, is a danish fort built in 17th century in the shores of bay of Bengal in Tharangambadi. This is the second largest Danish fort after Kronborg. The fort is now used as a museum where the major artifacts of the fort and the Danish empire are displayed. It remains closed on Fridays.

credits

4. DUTCH FORT

Duration: 2 hrs.

Also known as Sadras fort, is located on Coromandel Coast in Kanchipuram District, 70 km south of Chennai in Tamil Nadu state. Sadras is the anglicized name of Sadhurangapatnam. In fact Chennai was called by English as Madras, an anglicized name of Madrasapatnam. Sadhurangapatnam and Madrasapatnam were twin cities. The fort is believed to be used as a granary and there were spaces for the elephant army as well. The secret tunnel from the cemetery is the highlight. The scripts inscribed on the picturesque tombs in the grave garden are clearly visible even after 400 years (dates between 1620-1780 AD). The culture and lifestyle of the Dutch settlers seem to be sophisticated even during that period and the materials including the utensils that were retrieved during the excavations are now displayed for public viewing in the state museum in Madras (Chennai).

credits

5. Gingee FORT

Duration: 3 hrs 1 min.

Gingee fort's origin dates back to the 9th century when it was a stronghold of the Cholas but the fort as it looks today is the handiwork of the Vijaynagara kings who made it an impregnable citadel. The fortified city is built on the seven hills, the most prominent of which are Krishnagiri, Chandragiri and Rajagiri. Gingee today, with its ruined forts, temples and granaries, presents a different picture from the glorious splendor of its bygone days.

Open from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm
Entrance Fee: Citizens of India and visitors of SAARC (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan) and BIMSTEC Countries (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar) - Rs. 5 per head.

Others:

US $ 2 or Indian Rs. 100/- per head (Admission fee applicable only to all monuments within the Rajagiri Fort and Krishnagiri Fort)

(Free entry to children up to 15 years)

credits

6. FORT GELDRIA

Duration: 1 hr 23 mins.

Fort Geldria is situated in Pulicat in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It was built on the bank of the Pulicat lake by Dutch East India Company in the year 1613. This very historical fort served as the seat for the first settlement of the Dutch Republic in India. Within the fort, wells were dug to ensure water supply for the inhabitants. One of the maps shows three wells within the fort walls. Cemetery inside the fort has many graves. Most of the graves belong to the Dutch and most of them have detailed carving on the tomb stones.

credits

Other forts in and around Chennai includes Fort St. David, Fort St. George etc.