Danish Fort
Danish Fort
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4.0
196 reviews
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Let's Go Sightseeing
Noida, India2,910 contributions
Sep 2019
We first spotted the Fort from our hotel balcony. Compared to other Indian forts, it's not too large but has a graceful look to it. Ragunatha Nayak, the king of Tanjore, permitted the Danes to erect a fortress at Tranquebar at an annual rent of Rs. 3111.
It's the second largest fort built by the Danes. The fort is constructed in the Danish architectural style. Glorious halls, high ceilings & columned structures. The fort also has a museum. We saw artifacts from the Danish empire.
It's the second largest fort built by the Danes. The fort is constructed in the Danish architectural style. Glorious halls, high ceilings & columned structures. The fort also has a museum. We saw artifacts from the Danish empire.
Written August 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ravishankar S
Bengaluru, India36 contributions
Dec 2019
The Dutch fort at Tharangambadi (Tranquebar) is a nice spot for a brief outing. The surroundings are a throw-back to times past and the fort - rather the museum inside - holds many things of interest. The view of Bay of Bengal from the fort is awesome. The museum definitely can be spruced up. When we visited, we saw that there were some whale bones just strewn on the floor with no protection whatsoever. Entrance fee is quite affordable and there is a lot of parking space available.
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JaniJermans
Bengaluru, India321 contributions
Sep 2021
Fort Dansborg called Danish Fort, is a Danish fort located in the shores of Bay of Bengal in Tranquebar (Tharangambadi) in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Fort Dansborg was built in the land ceded by Thanjavur king Ragunatha Nayak in an agreement with Danish Admiral Ove Gjedde in 1620 and acted as the base for Danish settlement in the region during the early 17th century. The fort is the second largest Danish fort after Kronborg. The fort was sold to the British in 1845 and along with Tranquebar, the fort lost its significance as the town was not an active trading post for the British. After India's independence in 1947, the fort was used as an inspection bungalow by the state government till 1978 when the Department of Archaeology, Government of Tamil Nadu took over the control of the fort. The fort is now used as a museum where the major artifacts of the fort and the Danish empire are displayed. Please ensure you reach before 5.30 PM as it closes by then
Written October 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
njan45
Kochi (Cochin), India597 contributions
Jan 2020
Tarangambadi or Tranquebar was the only Danish colony in India from 1620 to 1845. It was then sold to British East India Company. This 17 th century fort popularly known as Dansborg stands as a testimony to the engineering skills of Danes. It withstood the Tsunami and still in good condition. There is a small museum inside.
The fort is closed on Fridays. Entry fee is only five ruppees and camera fees is thirty rupees.
The fort is closed on Fridays. Entry fee is only five ruppees and camera fees is thirty rupees.
Written January 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SingaporeGirl
Singapore, Singapore517 contributions
Feb 2020
According to a 1671 map of Tranquebar, the fortress was the "second largest Danish castle in the world after Kronberg (also known as Elsinore), the setting of Shakespear's "Hamlet". It is a surprisingly large fortress given Denmark was notably smaller than the other East Asiatic companies (the Dutch and English) in the area during this period. Well worth spending 15 minutes or so exploring the castle and its walls. Located directly on the ocean, it would have watched for pirates (a plague at the time) as well as its ships. Tranquebar had a rocky coastline without a port so ships had to moor off the coast with their goods brought in by tender. Marine archaeologists have located some shipwrecks offshore but none have been explored to date. The fort also houses a small museum.
Written February 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aarthee_jagan
Mumbai, India215 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
The fort is currently under renovation & there is hardly much to see- took us about 15-20mins to walk through the historical monument.
Unfortunately it has been poorly maintained for its rich history. Museum was a big disappointment with dusty empty shelves, name tags scratched out & nothing really from the Danish era.
Would recommend to skip - though it's the signature landmark for the city!
Hopefully the renovation will do some justice to the heritage site.
Unfortunately it has been poorly maintained for its rich history. Museum was a big disappointment with dusty empty shelves, name tags scratched out & nothing really from the Danish era.
Would recommend to skip - though it's the signature landmark for the city!
Hopefully the renovation will do some justice to the heritage site.
Written August 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pristed
Odense, Denmark523 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
On our trip to Trankebar, where the purpose was a look back at the Danish colonial times, we also visited Fort Dansbo, which the young Danish naval hero Ove Gjedde started the construction of in 1620. Trankebar was a Danish colony until 1848 when we were forced to sell it to the British when Denmark was deeply in debt. It's a pity to see the renovation that was ready years ago is attacked by mould/fungus and plaster that falls down because the consultants and the craftsmen have not been skilled enough. But regardless, an exciting visit with many historical and thought-provoking memories. Unfortunately, the fort was also destroyed by the tsunami in 2004, which is why parts have been washed into the sea, but is now in the process of a coastal defence. The map from 1733 clearly shows the historical area.
Written March 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rose+Doris
London, UK187 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
This fort houses some interesting things relative to the Danish presence here.
It adds an interesting dimension to the entire ‘colonial’ picture.
Make sure to visit at 10pm (when it opens) as it gets steaming hot!
It adds an interesting dimension to the entire ‘colonial’ picture.
Make sure to visit at 10pm (when it opens) as it gets steaming hot!
Written February 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James c
Oklahoma City, OK412 contributions
Feb 2023 • Solo
This is the main attraction in tranquebar. The fort is 17th century and built by the Danes. Theres a museum inside. You can walk around the entire complex and get great photography. You can see the whole fort and grounds in about an hr. The visit is an obvious visit whilst in tranquebar aka tharangambadi.
Written April 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tranquebar
Tharangambadi1 contribution
Hello all,
Tharangambadi also called as tranquebar,its having wonderful ozone rich beach also having historical fort whic is build by danish peoples..
Second important thing i like to share with you is it has historical church which is located in the kings street it was construted in the 18th century...
I hope you will also enjoy the trip with tranquebar..Visit and enjoy your time.
Tharangambadi also called as tranquebar,its having wonderful ozone rich beach also having historical fort whic is build by danish peoples..
Second important thing i like to share with you is it has historical church which is located in the kings street it was construted in the 18th century...
I hope you will also enjoy the trip with tranquebar..Visit and enjoy your time.
Written January 11, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you pls help me with low budget hotel..& also suggest shall we make a day tour from pondichery to Danish fort or not
Written April 23, 2019
Pondicherry is a good option for budget stay but it will take time from there to visit tharangambadi. I think it will take almost 3 hours. There is nothing much in tharangambadi apart from two churches and fort museum. You will get ample of budget stay in pondicherry.
Written April 24, 2019
I want to know the timings of fort. Is there holiday for fort? Is it Sunday or any other weekday? Food availability? Entry fees? Pls guide on Car travel route from Chidambaram. M planning for tis weekend. Pls send me details
Written February 1, 2016
Renovation going on in the fort now. Timings are 10 30 am to 5 30 pm. Fridays closed. Entry fee is Rs. 10 for adults. Rs. 30 for camera. Take the Chennai - Nagapattinam Hwy/E Coast Rd and NH 45A. About 1 hr 15 mins from Chidambaram.
Written February 2, 2016
I want to know the timings of fort. Is there holiday for fort? Is it Sunday or any other weekday?
Pls send me details
Written February 1, 2016
I want to know the timings of fort. Is there holiday for fort? Is it Sunday or any other weekday?
Food availability? Entry fees?
Pls guide on Car travel route from Chidambaram. M planning for tis weekend.
Pls send me details
Written February 1, 2016
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