The Vattakottai Fort in Kanyakumari (or Cape Comerin) in Tamilnadu was built in the 18th century during the reign of Travancore kingdom.
Built as a coastal defense, the Vattakottai Fort was the last seaside fort constructed by the Travancore ruler Marthanda Varma (1729- 1758) under the guidance of Captain Eustachius De Lannoy.
Declared as protected site, the Vattakottai Fort is maintained by the Indian archaeological department. Another highlight of this touring destination is the black sand beaches that are located nearby.
The fort offers a mesmerizing view at the backdrop of the vast expanse of the serene ocean on one side and the magical Western Ghats on the other side, making it a memorable visit.
Contrary to what it is called, Vattakottai fort, meaning circular fort, it is shaped like a rectangle. This rectangular shaped fort has an area of around 3.5 acres and is surrounded by grand walls of 25-26 feet height. The front’s front walls measure 29 feet in thickness, whilst on the side and and at the back, it measures 18 feet and 6 feet in thickness.
Vattakottai Fort presents an amazing architecture, within its strong walls enclosing weapon rooms, watch towers and several other sections to discover and admire. It is built of granite blocks. You can find motifs of fish that are carved on the walls of the fort. The fish motif was the royal symbol of the Madurai Pandya Kingdom. According to most archeologists, it is believed that this fort must have been under the Pandya rulers for some time in the medieval period.
It is believed that in earlier days, the Padmanabhapuram Palace can be seen clearly from atop the Vattakottai Fort. The fort also encloses a secret path through a tunnel that is about 4 feet wide linking the palace to the Vattakottai fort. However, the path has been now close. The fort also has a small pond in the centre of the complex and a raised parade ground that offers a good view of the area surrounding the sea.
