padmanabha
15th October 2006, 10:20 PM
The historic and awe inspiring stone fort of Vattakottai, located three miles north-east of Kanyakumari, rises in majestic grandeur at the brink of the ocean. Time has woven many interesting legends and thrilling stories this fort. It was built for the defense of the coast at Kanyakumari, against the depredations of pirates.
Uplifting and awe full in its glory and gloom Vattakottai is part of the well planned South Travancore Lines which were erected under the commands of the Maharaja Anizham Tirunal Marthanda Varma (1729-1758), whose prowess and organizing capacity brought into one sovereignty the hinter lands of Kerala.
When was it built?
It was built in 1757 by the famous Dutch Naval Commander Eustachio Benedictine De Lannoy(1715-1777), who was taken as captive by the Maharaja in 1741 in the Colachal war.
Structure of the fort
The fort encompasses an area of four acres. There are four chambers for storing arms and ammunitions. These structures 5x9ft are built of rock. The roofs of granite girder stones paved over with brick and mortar.
The walls of the fort are strong, massive and irregular. The front wall is 29 ft and the rear one is only 6 ft. There are bastions at the four corners. Of these one of them is strong and juts out into the sea. The bastions in the south and west are triangular and the one in the north is a square. The walls are protected by parapets and a masonry wall provides additional support. A revetment runs all over the interior of the fort.
Magnificent military architecture
IT is a magnificent military architecture situated amidst a landscape of Arcadian exuberance. The sea front is mind-boggling. The shore is lovely and the unending waves splash against the fort wall. It is a great relic of the past an imposing architectural landmark, a solemn and melancholy witness to the martial achievements of medieval Travancore which evokes awesome memories.
Uplifting and awe full in its glory and gloom Vattakottai is part of the well planned South Travancore Lines which were erected under the commands of the Maharaja Anizham Tirunal Marthanda Varma (1729-1758), whose prowess and organizing capacity brought into one sovereignty the hinter lands of Kerala.
When was it built?
It was built in 1757 by the famous Dutch Naval Commander Eustachio Benedictine De Lannoy(1715-1777), who was taken as captive by the Maharaja in 1741 in the Colachal war.
Structure of the fort
The fort encompasses an area of four acres. There are four chambers for storing arms and ammunitions. These structures 5x9ft are built of rock. The roofs of granite girder stones paved over with brick and mortar.
The walls of the fort are strong, massive and irregular. The front wall is 29 ft and the rear one is only 6 ft. There are bastions at the four corners. Of these one of them is strong and juts out into the sea. The bastions in the south and west are triangular and the one in the north is a square. The walls are protected by parapets and a masonry wall provides additional support. A revetment runs all over the interior of the fort.
Magnificent military architecture
IT is a magnificent military architecture situated amidst a landscape of Arcadian exuberance. The sea front is mind-boggling. The shore is lovely and the unending waves splash against the fort wall. It is a great relic of the past an imposing architectural landmark, a solemn and melancholy witness to the martial achievements of medieval Travancore which evokes awesome memories.