Time capsule of the Travancore Kingdom

Vattakottai Citadel is a long-standing jewel on the shores of the Arabian Sea. The granite fortress has stood the test of time and is in modern times a well-liked tourist highlight. If you're drawn to history, and like the seaside, Vattakottai Citadel is a worth visiting.

Though now a part of Tamil Nadu, Vattakottai was in earlier times ruled by the Travancore kings and was one of their notable strategic areas. The fortress was built in the 18th century over the time of King Marthanda Varma. Located approximately 6 km to the north-east side of Kanniyakumari, the Vattakottai Citadel is made of stone. The fortress is spread across an area of 3.5 acres of land and has restrooms, weapon room, and watchtowers. The height of the walls is 25 ft, and the thickness in front is around 29 ft. The place is said that over the earlier days, Padmanabhapuram Royal residence could be seen from the peak of the fortress. There used to be a secret path through a tunnel that was 4 ft wide from the fort-palace to the fortress. This tunnel is closed now. The fortress is built beautifully with plenty of open spaces and a pond in between.