About Vattakottai Fort:- Vattakottai Fort is one of the chief tourist attractions of Kanyakumari. Vattakottai Fort or the circular fort is located about 6 km to the north-east of Kanyakumari town, in Agasteeswaram taluk.
Vattakottai Fort, built in the 18th century, was the last one in a string of coastal forts constructed by the Travancore Kings. Vattakottai Fort was constructed during the reign of Marthanda Varma as a defence measure for Nanjil Nadu.
The fort walls are about 25 feet high with a thickness of about 29 feet in the front portion. The walls of Vattakottai Fort were reinforced by De Lannoy, the trusted General of Travancore King, Marthanda Varma.
Vattakottai Fort, built of stone, consists of watchtowers, rest rooms and weapon rooms. Many of the walls within the fort have carvings of the fish motif, which is believed to be the symbol of the Pandyas. According to archaeologists, Vattakottai Fort was once under the control of the Pandyas.
In its initial days, a clear view of Padmanabhapuram Palace was possible from the top of Vattakottai Fort. There was also a 1.2 meter wide tunnel (secret passage) from Vattakottai Fort to the Padmanabhapuram Palace which covered a distance of about 25 km. This tunnel was gradually closed with the passage of time.
A view of the sea is available from the raised parade ground situated atop Vattakottai Fort. The calm water of the Arabian Sea is visible from one side of the parade ground and the rough water of the Bay of Bengal can be seen on the other side.
Vattakottai Fort, built in the 18th century, was the last one in a string of coastal forts constructed by the Travancore Kings. Vattakottai Fort was constructed during the reign of Marthanda Varma as a defence measure for Nanjil Nadu.
The fort walls are about 25 feet high with a thickness of about 29 feet in the front portion. The walls of Vattakottai Fort were reinforced by De Lannoy, the trusted General of Travancore King, Marthanda Varma.
Vattakottai Fort, built of stone, consists of watchtowers, rest rooms and weapon rooms. Many of the walls within the fort have carvings of the fish motif, which is believed to be the symbol of the Pandyas. According to archaeologists, Vattakottai Fort was once under the control of the Pandyas.
In its initial days, a clear view of Padmanabhapuram Palace was possible from the top of Vattakottai Fort. There was also a 1.2 meter wide tunnel (secret passage) from Vattakottai Fort to the Padmanabhapuram Palace which covered a distance of about 25 km. This tunnel was gradually closed with the passage of time.
A view of the sea is available from the raised parade ground situated atop Vattakottai Fort. The calm water of the Arabian Sea is visible from one side of the parade ground and the rough water of the Bay of Bengal can be seen on the other side.