Thangassery Fort Ruins

Thangassery Fort Ruins, also known as St. Thomas Fort or Fortaleza de São Tomé, are the remains of a 16th-century Portuguese coastal fort built in 1519 CE. Located on the shores of the Arabian Sea in Thangassery, Kollam district, the site features remnants of fort walls, an arched gateway, and tower foundations. The fort was subsequently occupied by the Dutch and British before falling into ruins. Today, it is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India and serves as a historical landmark reflecting Kerala's colonial past.

Visitors can view the exterior ruins of the historic fort from outside, as the site is currently not open to the public for interior access. The remaining structures include portions of the fort wall, an arched gateway facing the sea, and foundations of towers. The location offers views of the Arabian Sea and Thangassery Beach. The surrounding area includes the Thangassery Lighthouse and Portuguese Cemetery, forming part of a heritage trail.

Built in 1519 CE by the Portuguese under Afonso de Albuquerque to protect trade interests, the fort was originally named Fortaleza de São Tomé. It featured three towers and four bastions with its entrance facing the sea. The Dutch conquered the fort in 1658 and again in 1661, making Thangassery the capital of Dutch Malabar. In 1795, the British East India Company took possession. The fort represents a significant chapter in Kerala's colonial history involving Portuguese, Dutch, and British powers.

The fort ruins are part of Thangassery's heritage landscape, which includes the Portuguese Cemetery and reflects the area's role as a historic trading post. The site is recognized as part of Kollam's colonial heritage and contributes to understanding the multicultural interactions during European colonial periods in Kerala.