Well known for its pristine and undisturbed beaches, Trincomalee is often overlooked by visitors as a historic destination. However, its world-class deep water harbor acted as a passageway for trade during the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa periods, as well as during colonial times, and as a result Trincomalee has a lot to offer. Our half-day tour includes a visit to Fort Fredrick; built in 1624 the fort remains formidable to this day. Entrance to the fort is currently monitored as it is used as an army garrison, however visitors are given the opportunity to either walk or drive into the fort and visit the famous Koneswaram Temple. The temple is built atop ‘Swamy Rock’, a rocky promontory cape overlooking Trincomalee. You will also visit the World War II Cemetery and will learn about the natural harbor that is so central to Trincomalee’s history.
Fort Frederick, also known as Trincomalee Fort or Fort of Triquillimale, is a fort built by the Portuguese at Trincomalee, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka, completed in 1624 A.D., built on Swami Rock-Konamamalai from the debris of the world famous ancient Hindu Koneswaram temple (Temple of a Thousand Pillars). The temple was destroyed by the Portuguese colonial Constantino de Sá de Noronha under PhillipIII, occupier of the Jaffna kingdom and Malabar country on the island. On the Konamalai cape was also built a new village of Portuguese and Tamil people, 50 Portuguese soldiers and inside the fort, a church named after “Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe”. The Fort of Triquillimale was dismantled and rebuilt by the Dutch in 1665, renamed Fort Frederick.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is one of the famous activities in Trincomalee. Sting rays, sharks, corals and many more tropical underwater life can be seen in the clear sea of Trincomalee.
