Mannar Fort
Mannar Fort
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
56 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
27
Average
14
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Kamal P
Byron Bay, Australia9,508 contributions
Jan 2020
Currently in the process of getting restored and conserved Mannar Fort is on its way to show a bit of its past glory. Built with blocks of coral and brick in the year 1560 by the Portuguese at the entry point of Mannar Island facing the lagoon, had been captured by the Dutch in 1658 and subsequently fallen to British in 1795. Structures within, had stood the test of time with most standing sturdy minus the rooves and the wooden components of doors and windows. It is well fortified with ramparts, moats, and once guarded entrance. Fort is square shaped and the visitor can walk on the rampart almost its full length seeing different views from different directions. From the ramparts there is a beautiful view of the vast span of lagoon that surrounds it. With the low tide boats that are moored in the vicinity gives the appearance that they have collapsed to a side and beached.
The church building within the fort is a very interesting site with many ancient burial plaques still remaining in their original spots with beautiful carvings and inscriptions. Stairs leading to a pulpit is visible in the church. Ponds to collect fresh water and wells to supply the needs of the occupants of the Fort are still found with significant levels of water. Fort is one of the must-see places in Mannar.
The church building within the fort is a very interesting site with many ancient burial plaques still remaining in their original spots with beautiful carvings and inscriptions. Stairs leading to a pulpit is visible in the church. Ponds to collect fresh water and wells to supply the needs of the occupants of the Fort are still found with significant levels of water. Fort is one of the must-see places in Mannar.
Written April 5, 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.
mahinda2004
Colombo, Sri Lanka109 contributions
Feb 2020
One of the best place to visit in Mannar. very short distance from city.It is on your right when driving along causeway .This place is being renovated now. You can see a beautiful sunset and a perfect view of lagoon and causeway .Wonder full colonial heritage in Mannar.
Written February 20, 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.
AD2010
Melbourne, Australia83 contributions
Sep 2013 • Family
The road leading to the entrance of the Fort is just off to the side of the main bridge that connects the island to mainland. A small bus can drive through the broken entrance to the court yard.
The fort was built by the Portuguese in 1560 and it surrendered to the Dutch on 22 February 1658 and was rebuilt by the Dutch in 1696. On 5 October 1795 the Dutch surrendered to the British. The fort has four bastions and it’s still in good condition. The inside has fallen into ruins. There a large number of buildings scattered throughout the fort. A chapel alter and a number of plaques indicate that number of people have been buried inside the church.
During the civil war the fort was occupied by the forces. Now it is under the Archaeological department and it has been cleaned to enable to visitors to walk around the fort.
The fortress is mentioned in the Portuguese 17th century iconographic sources as a quadrangular construction with three bastions and with shape and position apparently identical to those of the present-day fortress. The fort has been amilitary fort from the 1560’s.
Definitely worth a visit.
The fort was built by the Portuguese in 1560 and it surrendered to the Dutch on 22 February 1658 and was rebuilt by the Dutch in 1696. On 5 October 1795 the Dutch surrendered to the British. The fort has four bastions and it’s still in good condition. The inside has fallen into ruins. There a large number of buildings scattered throughout the fort. A chapel alter and a number of plaques indicate that number of people have been buried inside the church.
During the civil war the fort was occupied by the forces. Now it is under the Archaeological department and it has been cleaned to enable to visitors to walk around the fort.
The fortress is mentioned in the Portuguese 17th century iconographic sources as a quadrangular construction with three bastions and with shape and position apparently identical to those of the present-day fortress. The fort has been amilitary fort from the 1560’s.
Definitely worth a visit.
Written September 10, 2013
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.
darkydoors
Melbourne, Australia117 contributions
Aug 2013 • Business
My second favorite Fort in Sri Lanka (2nd to Galle of course). Almost completely intact apart from the roofs, this is ruin wandering at its best. A walk around the rampart offers superb 380 degree views of the Mannar township and the expansive waterways that were once graced with tall ships. Palm trees fringe the courtyard and old Dutch tombstones add to the mystique. There is a cellar which stunk of Bat poo and was a little spooky, so didn't spend too much time in there!
Quite a crowd of locals gathered at sunset to enjoy the view. Definitely worth visiting and easy to drive to being situated to the right of the bridge into Mannar town.
Quite a crowd of locals gathered at sunset to enjoy the view. Definitely worth visiting and easy to drive to being situated to the right of the bridge into Mannar town.
Written November 10, 2013
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.
Cyril-Mundy
Colombo, Sri Lanka379 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
Strange location to protect Mannar from the sea,clearly the enemy is from the mainland. Broken down and needing repair, bears a history of the Portuguese and the recent times of the war when it changed hands and shows the effort in holding on to it.
Written March 7, 2019
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.
Roshane R
Colombo, Sri Lanka22 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
a pity more care is not taken of this wonderful place. made with such precision and have stood the test of time. the view from the top of the fort is super.
Written April 23, 2018
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.
Pete's Travelling Pans
Melbourne, Australia142 contributions
Jul 2017
This was by far the best day we spent exploring the old Portuguese / Dutch forts in Sri Lanka.
The fort was built by the Portuguese in 1560, converted by the Dutch in 1696, and handed over to the British in 1795.
Away from the crowds of the Galle Fort, the continuing military presence of the Kalpitiya and Trincomallee's Fort Fredrick, and the workmen restoring the Jaffna fort you can spend as much time as you need exploring the old fort, with just the wild donkeys for company!
Look for the old church, barracks and tombstones that are quite well preserved for a place that is essentially abandoned.
There is no information present at the site. We enjoyed the tranquil solitude of the place, took lots of photos and researched at our leisure.
The fort was built by the Portuguese in 1560, converted by the Dutch in 1696, and handed over to the British in 1795.
Away from the crowds of the Galle Fort, the continuing military presence of the Kalpitiya and Trincomallee's Fort Fredrick, and the workmen restoring the Jaffna fort you can spend as much time as you need exploring the old fort, with just the wild donkeys for company!
Look for the old church, barracks and tombstones that are quite well preserved for a place that is essentially abandoned.
There is no information present at the site. We enjoyed the tranquil solitude of the place, took lots of photos and researched at our leisure.
Written October 11, 2017
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.
ChugChug
28 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
We went there around sunset and it was nice but just like most of the Dutch forts around SL this too is rather neglected. No guides so you will need to read up about it before or later on.
Written December 28, 2016
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.
Margaret G
Colombo, null, Sri Lanka23 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
shame , we should restore this heritage for our younger generation to really see.There is so much history attached to these places.
Written October 22, 2014
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.
Dharini d
Colombo, Sri Lanka23 contributions
Jan 2020
Sadly there doesn't seem to be any attempt to restore or maintain these historical places in and around Mannar. The sunset from the Fort across the bridge is spectacular
Written January 15, 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.
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