Kannur കണ്ണൂര്‍/ಕಣ್ಣೂರು (Cannanore),

St Angelo Fort, Kannur, Kerala


Kannur (formerly Cannanore; Malayalam: കണ്ണൂര്‍/ಕಣ್ಣೂರು) is a city on the northern coast of Kerala, in southwestern India. With a metropolitan population of 1.64 million people (2012 estimate), it is the largest urban agglomeration in the North Malabar region of Kerala.

As with many of the coastal cities of Kerala, Kannur traces its history back to antiquity. As early as the 12th and 13th century, it was already an established seaport enjoying a flourishing trade link with Persia and Arabia.

The Portuguese took control of the area in the early 16th century. Dom Francisco de Almedia, the first Portuguese Viceroy of India, built St Angelo Fort here in 1505. It was captured by the Dutch in 1663. Then in 1772, the Dutch sold it to the Arakkal royal family, who established a sultanate here.

By the 19th century, Kannur had become the third largest city on the west coast of British India after Bombay and Karachi.

Until recently, Kannur was known by its anglicized name, Cannanore, which is still in common use, despite the official name having been changed to follow the original Malayali pronunciation.

Planning your trip to Kannur

If you prefer to fly in, the nearest airports are at Mangalore, Karnataka and Kozhikode.

There are train services connecting Kannur with all the major cities of India including Bengaluru, Chennai, Coimbatore, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangalore, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram.

Shenoy Shopping Center, Fort Road, Kannur

Places of Interest in Kannur

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