Information on Fort Immanuel (Ernakulam, Kerala) - History & Architecture

Fort Immanuel is the Dutch fortification built on the Kochi mainland's adjoining with the backwaters and the Arabian Sea. This for was built in the era 1503 AD by the Portugal colonialist who came here to trade with India. This was the first fort built in this region, hence forth the area surrounded it was called as Fort Kochi by its local peoples there on. This for added the beauty of Arabian Sea and its backwaters around this fort. It is the place of large number of foreign tourist oriented culture. This fort is located in For Kochi, Cochin, Ernakulum District, Kerala State in India.

Fort Immanuel Architecture

Fort Immanuel is built with the permission from Travancore Maharaja by the Portugal Imperialists. This fortification was mainly built here for there interest in trade and their own security purpose. This is one of the largest forts on the Backwaters of Kerala. This was built with sea rocks, mount clay rocks and granite stones with lime stone paste as its fixers. It has a large thick wall along with the backwaters. On the interior it had many teak woods and iron bar supports. It also had plain grounds inside the fort. There are many watch towers to view the vessels movement on the Arabian Sea. There were many large granaries for storage purposes. Many big hall and rooms were built for garrison purpose. It has canons facing sea waters. This fort was totally completed with the India laborers and crafts mans of that time. The European architecture is depicted everywhere on the fort. According to the historical records, it took more than a decade to complete in its actual plans.

Fort Immanuel History

Fort Immanuel was the first trade center for the Kochi region. It had an international importance for trading and imperialist procession of this fort for more than five centuries. This was the social and colonial place which existed parallel with the European culture. These places were very scenic that the colonial officials started to settle here from more than three centuries before. This for has witnessed many foreign aggression from the French, Dutch's and finally from the British East India Company. This fort was majorly destroyed due to these colonial fights with Kochi region. This fort was an important instrument in the building of its sea port in the mainlands of Cochin. This fort stood as a vigil of the Arabian Sea. It also traded with the Arab and African countries from here. This fort was named after the 'King Immanuel of Portugal' who was a remarkable person to co joins with the Maharajas of Kochi. This fort was the first foundation for the neo colonial culture in Kerala, which benefited in foreign trades and Europeans cultural impacts on these backwaters. These traders developed it mostly as a tourist destination for the European countries in those days itself. The name 'Gods own Country' was given to Kerala by these European colonialists.

Fort Immanuel Tourism Importance

Fort Immanuel is just 8 Km from Cochin City. The Cochin is also called as Fort Kochi, Kochi and Ernakulum in Kerala State. Please don't get confused with these names. This is an international tourist destination famous for Boathouse tourism on the backwaters. Tourists come here for its natural scenic beauty spread all over in Kerala. Here tourist can visit in all season of a calendar year. The monsoon seasons from June to November are more heavenly to see it in dark clouds and rainy environment.