Pallippuram Fort (Castelo em Cima) is a fort in Pallippuram, Vyppin, Ernakulam district of Kerala, south India. It was built by the Portuguese on 27th September 1503 using Timber wood, and later renovated in 1505 by replacing timber structure with stone. It is the oldest existing European fort in India. The Dutch captured the fort in 1661 and sold it to the Kingdom of Travancore in 1789. The fort is situated in the northern extremity of Vypeen island and is hexagonal in shape, a form popularly known as ayikkotta or alikotta.Hexagonal in shape, the lowest internal floor of the fort is raised to a height of 5 feet (1.5 m). The gate and the door posts, and the lintels are finely dressed and arched while underground there is a cellar that was used to store gunpowder. A 3.25 by 3.25 feet (0.99 m × 0.99 m) well provided a source of fresh water. There is an opening to the north which leads to the cellar. There is a circular slab stone, on which was installed a pillar on which the radiating wooden struts supporting the upper two floors must have rested. Each face of the fort measures 32 feet (9.8 m) long and 34 feet (10 m) high while the walls are six feet thick. Each face of the fort has three embrasures, one above the other. The central opening of the embrasures measures 2 by 2.5 feet (0.61 m × 0.76 m). The fort could have mounted as many as guns commanding all quarters round it. There is an open space inside affording easy passage to the cellar. The fort is constructed using laterite, chunam, and wood. The walls are thickly plastered using mortar. The door way in the central circular slab is made of granite. All the six sides of the fort are overgrown with vegetation. It has an underground path which connects to some other openings. It was saying that the route goes under rivers and lands which they used to escape from enemies when needed. The underground path is permanently closed now. ....

DOV:29July2017 This Fort comes under the Muzris heritage area. Fort is good but not maintained properly. There is nobody there when I had visited and it's really frightening. Its better to have a security for the same atleast and put an entry fee to cover the same.The approach road is good but two narrow for bigger vehicles. Better park the same on the main road.

The oldest European building in India. The hexagonal shaped fort built by Portugese is situated by the side of Periyar distrubutory. Its surrounded by a lush green silent and calm atmosphere. The fort building is a small structure. You can spend around 15-30 mins here. Nothing more you can do there. If you are taking a car, it is advisable to park it by the side of the main road, and walk. Taking it inside till near the fort can be tough, as the road is very narrow with sharp curves, and turning back may be really tough

It nice and under ground cave id ther bt it is blocked

15th century fort. Very well maintained. Went with my dad. Loved it

An old Portuguese fort remains…… a fort built in 1503, now under archaeological protection. It is one of the most ancient buildings of the time of Portuguese times. It was preserved by the government of Travancore , now under the government of Kerala, in 1902. Here now there is no entry fee. We can visit here in the working hours 9am to 5pm with family. There is nothing more to see here other than this structure. A not maintained good pond is also in the compound. The structure is situated in the bank of the lake. Now this project is not under Muziris

An old Portuguese fort remains…… a fort built in 1503, now under archaeological protection. It is one of the most ancient buildings of the time of Portuguese times. It was preserved by the government of Travancore , now under the government of Kerala, in 1902. Here now there is no entry fee. We can visit here in the working hours 9am to 5pm with family. There is nothing more to see here other than this structure. A not maintained good pond is also in the compound. The structure is situated in the bank of the lake. Now this project is not under Muziris

Can be underwhelming if your idea of a "fort" is what you get to see in Rajasthan. This is more like a "lookout point" and "hold your ground" post. Imposing walls that possibly helped keep an eye on the coastline and protect merchant ships. Certainly worth a visit if you are interested in history/culture. One word of CAUTION: This place is infested with huge mosquitoes. Stand still for 5 mins and you will get bitten all over...So if you want to brave it, please apply mosquito repellent liberally before entering.

Visited in May with my dad. It's an old fort, well maintained, friendly staff. Entrance is free

The Pallippuram Fort is located in Pallippuram, on the northern extremity of the Vypin Island in the Ernakulam district of Kerala in southern India. The Portuguese built the mighty fort in 1503 and today, it stands majestically as the oldest surviving European monument in India. The architecture of the Pallippuram Fort never fails to strike the visitor. The fascinating monument is complete with a hexagonal outpost, and the lowest floor is raised to a height of five feet. The fort is hexagonal, a form which is popularly known as ayikkotta or alikotta in southern India. The fort is made out of mortar, wood and laterite. There is an open space inside the fort which allows secure passage to the cellar. According to local legends, this cellar is a tunnel which leads to the Cheraman Masjid in Kodungallur. The Pallippuram Fort was captured by the Dutch in the year 1661, following which it was sold off to the Kingdom of Travancore in 1789. As of now, it is a protected monument of the Kerala State Department of Archaeology.

Easily findable place in pallipuram. Its the most ancient building in india built by the Portuguese. No tickets needed, not sure about car parking, plenty of two wheelers can park there. Do visit because its a part of our history

A hexagonal fortification built by Portuguese as their costal battery to keep their cannons. Cellular barracks of gunners also were there, but has lost in the wake of time. Now it is well maintained by Archeological Survey Department and preserved as a heritage site. The access to the site is a little bit small and there are no dedicated parking spaces.

The fort is located in the northern end of the Vaipin island. Built by the Portuguese in 1503, it is the oldest European fort in India. The Dutch captured the fort in 1661 and sold it to Travancore in 1789. Now you can see the old castle and the remains of the tunnel. Entry times are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Mondays.

Very good place. Ancient fort built by Portuguese

Pallippuram Fort or (Paleport Castelo em Cima) is a fort in Pallippuram, Vyppin, Ernakulam district of Kerala, south India. It was built by Portuguese sailors on 27 September, 1503 using just timber wood, and later renovated in 1505 by replacing timber structure with stone. It is the oldest existing European fort in India. The Dutch captured the fort in 1663 and sold it to the Kingdom of Travancore in 1789. The fort is situated in the northern extremity of Vypeen island and is hexagonal in shape, a form popularly known as ayikkotta. Good place to spend weekend. There is a boat jetty where we can see the beauty of the river. It is one the historical place in Kerala.

Very valuable in history. Maintanence was very poor. No hygienic conditions. Low assistance by officers and no help of local guide. Staff were not helping the research scholars to understand the history. Irresponsive to queries.

Located at a distance of 23 Kms from Vypin jangar service point, Pallipuram fort is the most ancient European building in India. The structure is just a bastion and there's nothing much to see, when we talk of a fort. The way to the fort is tiled and there's enough place for a car to enter however no place to turn the vehicle. One will have to take reverse all the way until to the main road. An itinerary need not be planned to visit this place specifically, you can give it a miss. If you happen to be passing by, you might want to visit the place, it won't take 10 minutes to explore.

Pallippuram Fort  is a fort in Pallippuram, Vyppin, Ernakulam district of Kerala, south India. It was built by Portuguese sailors on 27 September, 1503 using just timber wood, and later renovated in 1505 by replacing timber structure with stone. It is the oldest existing European fort in India. The Dutch captured the fort in 1663 and sold it to the Kingdom of Travancore in 1789. The fort is situated in the northern extremity of Vypeen island and is hexagonal in shape, a form popularly known as ayikkotta or alikotta.

Pallipuram Fort is one of the most important places in the history of India. It was the first fort built by Europeans in India. The fort is hexagonal in shape and is made of stone. The fort has underground passages, which are now permanently blocked. The fort is located in an eco-friendly location and the atmosphere is very quiet. It is now part of Muziris Heritage Tourism. But the Department of Tourism has not developed the historic fort tourism potential.

There is no ticket. The entry is free. Enough parking space for two wheelers. There is a quiet atmosphere and the background area is peaceful however it needs some renovations.

Pallippuram Fort known as Ayakkotta or Alikkotta (kotta in Malayalam means fort) was constructed by the Portuguese in 1503. The fort is is hexagonal in shape. The relics of this fort now stand as a bastion of three storeys in height. Inside the fort, the floor is raised to 5 feet from the ground. Underneath this platform, a small cellar opens on to a passage, which runs obliquely from north to south. The cellar is 4 feet high and 7 feet square. The Portuguese used the Pallippuram Fort as a base to check the ships that ply up and down the Periyar to the Arabian Sea and the cellar was used for storing gunpowder. A church, a hospital, living quarters and other buildings are found near this Fort. This fort was attacked by the Dutch in 1662 and they occupied the fort. The advantageous location of the Pallippuram Fort caught the attention of the Mysore rulers, who tried to purchase it from the Dutch. But the English East India Company interfered and terminated that proposal. In 1789, the ruler of Travancore made a strategic move and purchased the Pallippuram Fort along with the Kottappuram Fort. After the decline of the Mysore rulers, the English East India Company took possession of the whole Malabar area. Gradually the Fort lost its importance and was abandoned by the military. In 1909, the Government of Travancore erected a memorial in front of the Fort and finally in 1964, it was declared a protected monument, under the Department of Archaeology. The fort is located about 8 km on the North Paravur-Munambam route.

This is an ASI site, but the maintenance is nonexistent. Yet the walls, which are over a meter thick, exude solidity. Neglecting history should be a culpable offense, but as they say: It happens only in India.

Good place, has history behind it. No entry fee, worth a visit

A must visit place while staying in Kochi. It's one of the old ancient buildings. No entry fee. Serene fort with a well. Structure gives such a great feeling.

Neatly maintained structure, worth a visit. Parking is not available, need to find parking at the road side.

A small fort built by Portuguese in 1503 and the oldest European fort in India. The Dutch captured the fort in 1661 and sold it to the Kingdom of Travancore in 1789. The fort is situated in the northern extremity of Vypeen island and is hexagonal in shape, a form popularly known as ayikkotta or alikotta. Entry to the Fort is free. There is no much Facilities in this area. A Hexagonal fort at a height of 30 fts and a raised floor at a elevation of 10 ft. Cannon view points are available in this towards the lake. The boat jetty is very near to this fort.

Very narrow approach road. If you are going in a sedan or large SUV, better park the vehicle in the main road side and walk about 50 meters to reach the location. Other than the archeological relevance of the site, nothing much in the offing. You will not spend more than 10 minutes.

Just a hexagonal shape monument with historical value. Nice location with greenery around and near another historical - Mother of snow basilica church. Visiting time is around 10-5 but there is no security to monitor. No charge to visit.

Such a calm place ,good time to vist around 11 am or 3 pm ,No entry fee no waiting,The fort is well preserved it's hexagonal structure is its speciality .Vister are less.

Most ancient European fort in India. Neatly maintained . But a display or a video screen with some info about the history will be very helpful .

Pallippuram Fort or (Paleport Castelo em Cima) is a fort in Pallippuram, Vyppin, Ernakulam district of Kerala, south India. It was built by Portuguese sailors on 27 September, 1503 using just timber wood, and later renovated in 1505 by replacing timber structure with stone. It is the oldest existing European fort in India. The Dutch East Indies captured the fort in 1663 and sold it to the Kingdom of Travancore in 1789. The fort is situated in the northern extremity of Vypeen island and is hexagonal in shape, a form popularly known as ayikkotta or alikotta.

One of the first European structure in India constructed in 1503. Currently, one watchtower is only available as a part of fort. Must watch and you can complete the visit with in 15mints.

Not very much attractive. But preserved well. It's made by Portuguese about 500 years ago.

Neatly keeping premises, but need more protection and informations about fort and it’s history. Fort must be protected with roofing, restoration of roofing if possible..

Recently Renovated fort is the remains of hr british era that prevailed in kochi. The fort although a simple standing structure was of importance back in time. The fort also has. View of the pallipuram fish trading centre.

One of the ancient European buildings in India. It's in hexagonal shape which is built to control ancient muzuriz port