St Angelo Fort stands on a laterite headland by the Arabian Sea at Kannur, in Kannur district, Kerala, looking down on the Mappila Bay fishing harbour. It is a triangular sea fort the Portuguese began in 1505, later held by the Dutch, the Arakkal family and the British, and is now protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. This guide covers its layered history, the ramparts and views, how to reach it and what to plan around a visit.
St Angelo Fort, also called Kannur Fort or Angelo Kotta, is a triangular laterite sea fort at Kannur in Kerala. According to Kerala Tourism, the first Portuguese Viceroy of India, Francisco de Almeida, built it in 1505. It passed to the Dutch, the Arakkal family and the British, and the ASI now maintains it.
Key takeaways
- St Angelo Fort sits on a headland about 3 km from Kannur city in Kannur district, Kerala, above the Mappila Bay fishing harbour.
- Kerala Tourism and Incredible India both state the fort was built in 1505 by Dom Francisco de Almeida, the first Portuguese Viceroy of India.
- The fort changed hands over the centuries: the Dutch captured it in 1663, sold it to the Arakkal family (Kerala’s only Muslim royal house), and the British took it in 1790.
- The triangular laterite fort keeps a moat, bastions, sea-facing cannons, a ruined chapel and stables, and is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.
- The best season is October to March; the nearest railway is Kannur (about 3 km) and the nearest airport is Kannur International (about 32 km).
About St Angelo Fort: quick facts
St Angelo Fort is a triangular laterite sea fort on a headland at Kannur, the coastal town that heads Kannur district in north Kerala. It is also known as Kannur Fort or Angelo Kotta. The fort sits where the land juts into the Arabian Sea, with the Mappila Bay fishing harbour tucked below its northern wall.
The site reads as a long military story in stone. The Portuguese laid it out, the Dutch rebuilt its defences, the Arakkal rulers of Kannur held it for a while, and the British ran their Malabar operations from it. Today the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) maintains the walls, and the fort is open to visitors.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Kannur town, Kannur district, Kerala, by the Arabian Sea |
| Other names | Kannur Fort, Angelo Kotta |
| Built | 1505, by Dom Francisco de Almeida (per Kerala Tourism) |
| Material and shape | Triangular, built of laterite |
| Later rulers | Dutch (1663), Arakkal family, British (1790) |
| Status | Maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India |
| Overlooks | Mappila Bay harbour and Dharmadam island |
| Best season | October to March |
| Distance from Kannur city | About 3 km |
History: Portuguese, Dutch, Arakkal and British
St Angelo Fort was begun by the Portuguese in 1505 to control trade and defence on the Malabar coast. According to Kerala Tourism, the first Portuguese Viceroy of India, Francisco de Almeida, built the fort on a cliff overlooking the sea in 1505, with the consent of the local Kolathiri raja. The Wikipedia account, which should be checked against its cited sources, dates the raja’s permission to 23 October 1505, says a wooden fort went up within days under a first captain, and places a stone fort from 1507.
The Dutch took the fort from the Portuguese in the 17th century. Kerala Tourism states the Portuguese were defeated during the Dutch invasion of 1663, and Incredible India agrees that in 1663 the Dutch captured the stronghold and strengthened its defences; the Wikipedia account gives the precise date as 15 February 1663 and says the Dutch added bastions named Hollandia, Zeelandia and Frieslandia. The Dutch later sold the fort to the Arakkal ruler, the Ali Raja of Kannur.
The British were the last power to hold it. Kerala Tourism says the British took the fort over from the Beevi of Arakkal in 1790, and the ASI-maintained accounts describe the fort as the chief British military station in Malabar until Indian independence in 1947, with barracks and an ammunition magazine added in that period. A dilapidated chapel and old stables inside the walls survive from these earlier centuries.
A modern episode added to the story. In 2015, labourers digging a trench for a cable laying ahead of a light-and-sound show uncovered thousands of old cannonballs in pits inside the fort. Reports of the count vary — the Indian Awaaz news site cited nearly 35,950, while Archaeology magazine, citing The Times of India, reported more than 39,000 — and ASI archaeologist T. Sreelakshmi said the team would need historical evidence to explain why so many were buried there.
The Arakkal connection and Kerala’s only Muslim royal house
St Angelo Fort is tied to the Arakkal family, described by Kerala Tourism as the only Muslim royal family of Kerala. After the Dutch took the fort, they sold it to the Arakkal ruler, and the family held it until the British takeover in 1790. The Arakkal kingdom, based at Kannur, once controlled parts of the Malabar coast and the Lakshadweep islands in the Arabian Sea.
The family had an unusual structure for a royal house. According to Kerala Tourism, the male rulers carried the title Ali Raja and the female rulers were called Arakkal Beevis, and the family followed a matrilineal system of descent (lineage traced through the mother’s line), with the eldest member — man or woman — becoming head. The British victory in the Third Anglo-Mysore War is linked by Kerala Tourism to the family’s decline.
You can follow this thread a short walk from the fort at the Arakkal Kettu (the Arakkal house) in Ayikkara. Kerala Tourism says the durbar hall of the palace complex was converted into a museum by the Government of Kerala and opened to the public in 2005, with exhibits on the rulers’ maritime links and their spice-trade role. Pairing the fort with the museum makes the Portuguese-to-Arakkal handover much easier to picture.
The ramparts, moat, bastions and sea views
St Angelo Fort is a massive triangular structure built of laterite, ringed by a deep moat and crowned with wide ramparts. Kerala Tourism describes its moat, strong parallel bastions, ammunition dumps, underground jails and secret tunnels, with cannons pointing out to sea through openings in the thick walls. Incredible India adds that a drawbridge once connected the fort across the moat to the mainland.
The views are the reason most visitors linger on the ramparts. From the walls you look straight out over the Arabian Sea, down onto the Mappila Bay fishing harbour (spelled variously as Moplah or Mopilla Bay in official listings) where wooden boats come and go, and across the water to Dharmadam island on the Kannur coast. The sunset light on the laterite and the sea is the image people carry away.
Inside the triangle, the layers of occupation are visible. A ruined chapel and old stables survive from the fort’s earlier life, while a 17th-century Dutch cemetery, storage rooms, and British-era barracks and a magazine reflect the later rulers. Signboards are limited, so a little reading beforehand — or a local guide — helps you place what you are looking at.
Best time to visit St Angelo Fort
The best time to visit St Angelo Fort is October to March, the cooler, drier months on the north Kerala coast, which Incredible India also gives as the recommended window. Clear skies make the ramparts and sea views their best, and walking the open fort is comfortable. The southwest monsoon, roughly June to September, brings heavy rain to the Malabar coast and slippery stone, while April and May turn hot and humid.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Peak (best) | October–March | Cooler, drier, clear skies; ideal for the open ramparts |
| Hot | April–May | Hot and humid; visit early morning or late afternoon |
| Monsoon | June–September | Heavy rain, green headland, slippery stone; fewest crowds |
How to reach St Angelo Fort
St Angelo Fort is about 3 km from Kannur city and easy to reach by taxi, auto-rickshaw or private vehicle. The fort sits on the coast at Ayikkara, on the northern edge of town. Kannur is well connected by rail and has its own airport, so most travellers route through the town itself rather than a distant hub.
By rail, Kannur (station code CAN) is the nearest major station, about 3 km from the fort, on the Mangaluru–Thiruvananthapuram coastal line with frequent trains along the Kerala and Konkan coasts. By air, Kannur International Airport (CNN), which Incredible India places about 32 km from the fort, is the closest; Calicut (Kozhikode) International Airport is roughly 93 km south. Distances below are indicative planning estimates; reconfirm before you travel.
| From | Mode | Approx. distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kannur city centre | Road | ~3 km | Taxi or auto-rickshaw to Ayikkara |
| Kannur railway station (CAN) | Rail + road | ~3 km | Nearest major station; coastal line |
| Kannur International Airport (CNN) | Air + road | ~32 km | Nearest airport (per Incredible India) |
| Calicut (Kozhikode) airport | Air + road | ~93 km | Larger airport to the south |
What to see and do
The main things to do at St Angelo Fort are walking the ramparts, taking in the Mappila Bay and Dharmadam island views, and tracing the Portuguese, Dutch and British remains inside. Most visitors spend one to two hours, longer if they add the Arakkal Kettu museum close by. The table lists the spots within and beside the fort.
| Spot | What it is | Time needed | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramparts and bastions | Wide laterite walls, sea-facing cannons, moat | 45–60 min | Steep drops; open and sunny |
| Chapel and stables ruins | Dilapidated chapel and old stables inside the walls | 15–20 min | Few signboards |
| Mappila Bay viewpoint | Views over the fishing harbour and boats | 15–30 min | Best in morning or at sunset |
| Arakkal Kettu museum | Arakkal palace durbar hall, opened as a museum in 2005 | 45–60 min | Ticketed; separate site at Ayikkara |
Photographers do best early in the morning or in the hour before sunset, when the laterite glows and the sea turns gold. The ramparts have steep, unguarded drops in places, so keep well back from the edges and watch children closely.
A suggested half-day plan
Half a day is enough to cover St Angelo Fort and the Arakkal Kettu comfortably. Here is a simple plan from a Kannur town base.
- Morning: Reach the fort early, before the heat. Walk the ramparts, find the cannons, chapel and stables, and take in the Mappila Bay and Dharmadam island views.
- Late morning: Walk or ride the short distance to the Arakkal Kettu museum in Ayikkara to see the Arakkal story; allow about an hour.
- Afternoon: Head to Payyambalam beach for lunch and a stroll on Kannur’s town beach, or rest through the midday heat.
- Optional: Drive south for a sunset at Muzhappilangad drive-in beach, or plan a wider north-Kerala loop with our Kerala travel guide.
Where to stay in Kannur
Kannur town is the handiest base for St Angelo Fort, with hotels, homestays and beach resorts within a few kilometres. The town centre suits budget and mid-range travellers who want to be near the station and the fort; the Payyambalam and Thottada beach stretches hold quieter homestays and resorts. Book ahead for the October-to-March peak and for festival dates, when rates climb.
| Type | Indicative rate per night | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Budget guesthouse / homestay | ₹1,200–₹2,500 | Solo travellers, short town stays |
| Mid-range hotel | ₹3,000–₹6,000 | Couples and families near the fort |
| Beach resort | ₹7,000 and up | Seafront stays at Payyambalam/Thottada |
Rates are indicative planning estimates and swing with season and demand; reconfirm current prices when you book.
Food to try in Kannur
Kannur’s food is Malabar coastal cooking, strong on seafood, rice and coconut. Look for Malabar fish curry (a tangy, spiced coconut curry with the day’s catch), thalassery biryani (a fragrant short-grain-rice biryani from nearby Thalassery), kallummakkaya nirachathu (mussels stuffed with spiced rice and steamed), and snacks such as unnakaya (a fried plantain roll with a sweet coconut filling) and pazham pori (banana fritters). Wash it down with sulaimani (a light, spiced black tea). Small town eateries near the fort and the harbour serve fresh fish simply fried.
Budget breakdown
A visit to St Angelo Fort is inexpensive, since the fort entry is modest and most of your spend goes on transport, the Arakkal museum ticket and food. The table gives a per-person planning estimate for one day from a Kannur town base; it excludes your hotel night.
| Item | Indicative cost | Assumption |
|---|---|---|
| Local transport | ₹200–₹600 | Autos or a half-day taxi around town |
| Fort entry | ₹0–₹30 | Modest; reconfirm at the counter |
| Arakkal Kettu museum | ₹20–₹50 | Ticketed; reconfirm at the museum |
| Food and drink | ₹300–₹700 | Lunch and a snack |
| Water, extras | ₹100–₹200 | Bottled water, small buys |
| Rough total | ₹620–₹1,580 | One day, excludes stay |
These are planning estimates only; fees and fares were not verified live at every point, so reconfirm them locally.
Entry, timings and rules
St Angelo Fort charges a modest entry fee and is open through the day, but the exact figures should be confirmed on arrival. Kerala Tourism states there is an entry fee with separate rates for adults and children, but publishes no amounts and advises checking the latest timings and fees; a 2019 Madhyamam report cited ₹25 for visitors above 15, while some travel sites list the fort as free, so treat any single figure as indicative. Travel listings commonly give open hours of about 8 am to 6 pm; reconfirm locally, as timings change for holidays and events.
Kannur needs no inner-line or protected-area permit for ordinary tourists, so no special permit applies to the fort. As a monument maintained by the ASI, it asks visitors not to deface or remove stone. For drones, follow the national DGCA rules and any local restriction, and ask staff before flying near the walls. Mind the steep, unguarded drops along the ramparts.
Practical tips
- Shade and water: The ramparts are open and sunny. Carry water, wear a hat and visit early or late in the day.
- Edges: Some ramparts have steep drops with no railing; keep back from the edge and watch children.
- Cash and UPI: Kannur town has ATMs and widely accepted UPI; carry some cash for the ticket counter and small eateries.
- Getting around: Autos and taxis are easy in town; fix the fare or use the meter before you set off.
- Footwear: The laterite surfaces are uneven and can be slippery when damp; wear grippy shoes.
- Health: Kannur town has hospitals and pharmacies within a short drive of the fort.
- Solo women travellers: The fort is a busy daytime spot; as anywhere, keep to daylight hours and arrange return transport in advance.
- Plan the wider trip: Pair the fort with Kannur’s beaches and the Theyyam season using our Kerala travel guide, and add the hills inland with our Wayanad travel guide.
Nearby places
St Angelo Fort pairs well with Kannur’s beaches and the Arakkal palace, most within a short drive. The table lists the closest add-ons; for a full north-Kerala plan, see our Kerala travel guide.
| Place | Approx. distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Arakkal Kettu museum | Short walk, at Ayikkara | Arakkal palace durbar hall, opened as a museum in 2005 |
| Payyambalam beach | ~2–3 km from Kannur town | Kannur’s wide town beach, good for sunsets |
| Muzhappilangad drive-in beach | ~15 km from Kannur | Long beach you can drive along |
| Thalassery | ~22 km from Kannur | Thalassery fort, cricket history and biryani |
Frequently asked questions
Who built St Angelo Fort and when?
St Angelo Fort was built by the Portuguese in 1505. According to Kerala Tourism and Incredible India, the first Portuguese Viceroy of India, Dom Francisco de Almeida, built it on a cliff overlooking the sea with the local Kolathiri raja’s consent. The triangular laterite fort was later held by the Dutch from 1663, the Arakkal family, and the British from 1790.
What is the entry fee for St Angelo Fort?
St Angelo Fort charges a modest entry fee, but the exact amount should be confirmed on arrival. Kerala Tourism says there is a fee with separate adult and child rates but publishes no figures; a 2019 Madhyamam report cited ₹25 for visitors over 15, while some travel sites list it as free. Treat any single figure as indicative and reconfirm at the counter, as of October 2026.
What are St Angelo Fort’s timings?
St Angelo Fort is generally open through the day, with travel listings commonly citing about 8 am to 6 pm as of October 2026. The official Kerala Tourism page gives no fixed hours and advises checking the latest timings before you go. Treat the 8 am to 6 pm window as indicative, since hours can change for holidays and events, and confirm locally.
How do I reach St Angelo Fort from Kannur?
St Angelo Fort is about 3 km from Kannur city, reached by taxi, auto-rickshaw or private vehicle in roughly 10 to 15 minutes. The nearest major railway station is Kannur (CAN), also about 3 km away on the coastal line, and the nearest airport is Kannur International (CNN), which Incredible India places about 32 km from the fort.
What is the Arakkal connection to the fort?
The Arakkal family, described by Kerala Tourism as Kerala’s only Muslim royal house, held St Angelo Fort after the Dutch sold it to the Arakkal ruler, until the British took it in 1790. Male rulers carried the title Ali Raja and female rulers were called Arakkal Beevis. The Arakkal Kettu museum, opened in 2005 near the fort, tells their story.
What is the best time to visit St Angelo Fort?
The best time to visit St Angelo Fort is October to March, the cooler, drier months on the north Kerala coast, which Incredible India also recommends. Skies are clearer and the open ramparts are comfortable to walk. Avoid the June-to-September southwest monsoon, when heavy rain makes the laterite slippery, and the hot, humid April-to-May months.
Last updated and sources
St Angelo Fort suits anyone who likes layered history and sea views, and it pairs easily with Kannur’s beaches and the Arakkal palace for a relaxed half-day. Go between October and March for the clearest skies and the most comfortable walking on the exposed ramparts.
Last updated: 23 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Kerala Tourism — St Angelo Fort, Kannur; Kerala Tourism (Malabar) — St Angelo’s Fort; Kerala Tourism — Arakkal, the only Muslim royal family of Kerala; Kerala Tourism — Arakkal Kettu Museum; Incredible India — Angelo Fort; Wikipedia — St. Angelo Fort (used to locate dates and primary facts); Archaeology magazine — cannonballs unearthed at Fort St. Angelo. Accessed October 2026.
