One of the most popular tourist destinations in eastern Sri Lanka is Fort Frederick, located in Trincomalee. Fort Frederick was built by the Portuguese in 1623, one of several forts they constructed around Ceylon and an important one because of its defensive position overlooking Trincomalee’s great natural harbor. The fort’s walls were built with stones from a nearby Hindu temple (Konesar Temple) which the Portuguese had destroyed.
(Fort Frederick has the sturdy stone walls typical of a Portuguese fort)
The fort has changed hands a number of times. The Dutch defeated the Portuguese in 1639 and rebuilt the fort in 1665, bestowing on it the name ‘Fort Frederick’. The British took over in 1782 (look for the royal insignia above the entry gateway), and the fort remained a British garrison till 1948; the British added a number of buildings, and coastal artillery guns were placed during the two World Wars.
The fort now belongs to the people of Sri Lanka and is the home to the Gajaba Regiment of Sri Lanka’s army. The site is freely accessible to visitors, although the military barrack region is off limits.
The grounds are spacious and pleasantly shaded by large trees.
Many visitors come to the Fort to see the rebuilt Koneswaram Temple, sitting on the highest hill overlooking the complex. A herd of spotted deer live in the fort and love to lie in the shade.
Adjoining the fort is a small attractive stupa, worth a quite stop as well.
