St. Angelo Fort in Kannur also Kannur Fort, Kannur Kotta

Fort St. Angelo, more commonly Kannur Kotta or Kannur Fort is located at a distance of 3 km from the town. The fort offers excellent views of the surrounding regions as it lies facing the Arabian Sea. This fort was originally built in the early 16th Century by Don Francisco De Almeida, a Portuguese Admiral. The Dutch captured the fort from Portuguese in 1663 and later sold it to the king of Arakkal kingdom. In 1790 the British seized control over it and the fort became one of the important military centres for them in Malabar. The fort is triangular in shape with strong bastions and a moat made up of laterite. Even though some parts have collapsed and fallen into the sea, its ramparts are still in a fairly good state.

The fort gives an excellent view of the Mappila bay, a natural fishing harbour. One can also have a glimpse of the Dharmadam Island spread in 5 acres located in the Arabian sea at a distance of 100 meters. The fort has cells and rooms constructed and used during the British rule. There are cells that have a single hole, which was used to provide food to the prisoners held here. Apart from a few corrosions, the fort is vigilant to the natural calamities through centuries, making it a worthy tourist attraction. A few obsolete guns are seen around. The remains of an early oil lamp lighthouse has been erected inside the fort and it is the first lighthouse there. The fort is a protected monument under the Archeological Survey of India.