PLACES OF TOURIST INTERESTS
The tourism potential for Kannur district is high. The St. Angelos
Fort in the Kannur Cantonment, which was constructed in 1505, is a
symbol of Portuguese architecture and attracts plenty of tourists. The
Thalassery Fort is an
important tourist
centre. Kannur beach and Ezhimala are known for scenic
beauty. Places of
historic importance,
like the house of
Gulldert, who
composed the first
Malayalm- English
Dictionary and the
mosque at Madayi
constructed in 1124,
using marble brought
from Mecca attract
many tourists.
Fort St. Angelos
Fort St. Angelos is in the west of Kannur town. It was built in 1505 by
the first Portuguese
Viceroy, Don
Francisco De
Almeida, with the
permission of the
Kolathiris, on a
promontory jutting
into the
Lakshadweep sea.
The Dutch captured the fort in 1663 and sold it to the Ali Raja of Kannur
in 1772 and in 1790 it came into the possession of the British.
The British rebuilt it and made it
their most important station in Malabar .
This fort is in a fairly good state of
preservation, though parts of it have
collapsed. A few obsolete guns areseeh at
the place. The fort is a protected monument
under the Archaeological Survey of India.
Thalassery Fort
The British arrived in Thalassery in 1683 and errected a goods shed there.
They shifted their ommercial capital to Thalassery from Kozhikkode, following
obstruction from the Dutch. In 1700, the British built the Thalassery Fort
on a small hill called Tiruvellapadkunnu and in 1708, it was strengthened by
increasing its height and with bastions. The fort is square structure built
of laterite and is distinguished by its massiv ventilated walls and strong
flanking bastions. It was here that Raider' captain was imprisoned.The famous
St. John's Anglican church is behind this fort.
Muzhappilangad Beach
(15.K.M from Kannur and 8 K.M from Thalasseri):
Black rocks protect this long ,clean beach from the currents of the deep, making it shallows waters a swimmer's paradise.Perhaps this is Keralas only drive- in beach. Where you can drive entire length of 4 K.m .
Payyambalam Beach Resort
The Payyambalam beach is one of the beautiful beaches in this State and is
an ideal place to spend evenings, irrespepcti ve of seasons. It is very
near Kannur town. ,The mortal remains or' Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pilla,
A.K.
Gopalan, K.P. Gopalan, Pamban Madhavan and K.G. Marar are laid to rest near
this resort.
Ezhimala
Ezhimala, the capital of the ancient Mooshika kings, is considered to be
an ancient historical site. It is a onspicuous,isolated cluster of hills,
forming
a promontory, 38 kms. north of Kannur.
A flouriIshing sea port and centre of trade in ancient Kerala, it was one of the major battle fields of the Chola-Chera war of the II th century .I It is believed that Lord Budha had visited Ezhimala. An old mosque, believed to contain the mortal remains of Shaikh Abdul Latif, a Muslim retormlst, is also located here. The hill is noted for rare medicinal herbs. Bordered by sea on three sides, Ezhimala is set to occupy a prominent place in the naval history of the country, consequent to the proposal for ommissioning the N.aval Academy here.
Malayalakalagramam
( 29 K.M from Kannur) : This renowned centre for arts and culture at New Mahe
conduct courses in painting, sclpture,music, dance and pottery
Pazhassi Dam
(37K.M. east of kannur ) : An ideal retreat for rourists ,the damsite is famous
for its scenic beauty. The D.T.P.C provides pleasure boating faciliaties
at the reservoir. Accommodation is available at the Project Inspection Bungalow
and its dormitories.
Pythal Mala
( 65 km from Kannur Town ): This enchanting hill station ,situated 4,500 ft.
above sea level near the Kerala - Karnataka border ,is rich in flora and fauna.
It is a 6 km trek
to the top
of the hills.
Gundert Bungalow
(20.K.M.from Kannur, near Thalasseri twon on the national high way at Illikunnu):Dr;
Herman Gundert ,the revered German Missionary, scholar,lexicographer lived
in this bungalow for 20 years from 1839.It was here that one of the first
malayalam dictionaries and the first malayalam newspaper Rajyasamacharam
took shape.
Snake Park at Parassinikkadavu
The Snake Park at Parassinikkadavu is situated 18 kms. Away from Kannur town.
It Is one of the known snake parks in the country . The park is dedicated to
the preservation and conservation of snakes, most of which are becoming extinct
gradually. There is a large collection of poisonous and non-poisonous snakes.
Moppila Bay
Moppila Bay is a natural fishing harbour, lying near Fort St.
Angelos. A sea wall projecting from the fort separates the rough sea and
inland water.
The bay was famous during the Kolathiris' regime as a commercial
harbour that linked Kolathunadu with Lakshadweep and foreign countriea,
in imports.
Today , Mopilla bay has turned into a modernised fishing harbour,
developed under the Indo-Norwegian Pact.