No.01
- Entrance Gate
This gate is the entrance gate which was
built during the Dutch period and today can be seen the form which has been
modified by the British. When look at the entrance in front of the fort, can be
seen the year the fort was built by the Dutch and the East India Trade
Company’s logo and a note as “Fort Fredrick”.
No.
02 - Amsterdam Battery
This battery built to provide protection from both land and sea sides of the fort
built by the Dutch. Here are 10 openings where the cannons aimed towards Dutch bay
and towards the land towards the old canal were positioned. A flight of steps
leads from the camp to the war loft. On one side of the war attic are two
underground gunpowder stores measuring 25x20 feet.
No. 03 - Sea Burg Battery
Among
the five batteries in the Fredrick fort, this gun point, which is located to
the left of the entrance is strong enough to withstand attacks from the land
side. This gun point was designed by the Dutch to set several cannons. There are
several underground ammunition stores which can be entered from the Fredrick
Fort in this gun point. At the beginning of the steps, there is an arch with
two beautifully carved stone pillars removed from the old Hindu temple.
No. 04 - Sea sub-gate
This gate facing Back bay Harbor was
built by the Dutch. Back bay is a colonial name applied to the part of Gokanna
Harbour, which was a popular port during the Anuradhapura period. This sea gate
may have been used as a supply route for ships arriving at this port to bring
cargo into the fort premises and to evacuate soldiers and goods from the fort.
This is located near the present Gokanna temple.
No.05 – De Cat Battery
This battery which was located in front of Back Bay is a small gun point. At
present, due to a Buddha statue of Gokanna temple and another building were
built on this gun point, it cannot be seen this ancient gun point and other
construction which was built by the British.
No.06 - Gokanna Temple
The old Gokanna temple is mentioned in
the Mahavamsa that it was built by King Mahasen in the 3rd AD. According to
historical sources, this temple was also developed by the second Agrabodhi king
and the fifth Agrabodhi kings who reigned in Anuradhapura. The temple was
completely destroyed due to invasions in the later period, and factors such as
a Bodhi animal head and Koravak stones found near the fort are the material
factors of its history.
The present Gokanna Vihara was built in
the 1980s to commemorate the destruction of the old Gokanna Vihara. The
construction of the temple can be seen in the vicinity of the old Bodhi tree
and Avasage, as well as the gunpoint, known in the past as De Cat.
No.07 – Enthuisem Battery
This battery on the right side of the entrance is the place prepared by the Dutch
to store artillery. Now can be seen a part of artillery which was installed by
the British. Looking at the sea from this place, the lighthouse at Sampur and
the beach along the port of Trincomalee are clearly visible.
No.08 - Wesley House
Coming from the entrance gate on the
temple road, this house is located in the army camp on the south side. This is
the home where Lord Wellington lived in the Trincomalee Fort during the
colonial period. An architecturally beautiful mansion.
No. 09 - Ancient Hospital Building
This
is a double building which was built by the British in 19th century
AD. There are two middle yard in middle part of the building. There are British
architecture features in this building such as circular shape pillars and doors
with arch. This building is considered as a hospital which used by the British
and now this is an army house.
No.10
- Holland Battery
After
descending the steps down from the building known as the old Church, the cannon
stand, built to be driven on two small wheels, just out towards the sea.
No.11
- Lookout point
This
building was built during world war »»' This may have been used as an
observation bastion. From this point all naval vessels approaching the land
with fort Frederick to the east can be observed. A portion of the Koneswaram
temple and the Shiva statue can be seen on the left from this observation
building. Also this place has a good view of the land and the sea, So it is the
best place to experience the natural beauty of Trincomalee.
No.12 - Eastern Battery
This gunpoint is located on the right
side of the road towards Lookout Point and may have been built during the
British rule. This may have been used to face enemy attacks from the eastern
sea. Underground ammunition stores can also be seen here.
No.13 - Old water tank
A large underground water tank built for
the water needs of the soldiers inside the fort during World War II. Nowadays
it is decommissioned and can be viewed from outside.
No. 14 – De Redout Building
This
building was mentioned as “De Redout” in a Dutch map in 1750. There are evidences
that many cannons were installed for security.
This building was built using bricks and it has 7m height. It can be
entered through an arch and there are three subterranean cabins from the left
side. These cabins were used for store gunpowder and administrative works. The
British changed the original form and add two new cabins using concrete and two
places for install cannons and several cabins for store gunpowder. At the top
of the monument, it can be seen clearly inner port, outer port from Trincomalee
and large area of the fort.
No.15 - Sea Gate
This gate facing Back bay Harbor was
built by the Dutch. Back bay is a colonial name applied to the part of Gokanna
Harbour, which was a popular port during the Anuradhapura period. This sea gate
may have been used as a supply route for ships arriving at this port to bring
cargo into the fort premises and to evacuate soldiers and goods from the fort.
This is located near the present Gokanna temple.
No.16 - Western Battery
This battery, seen from the Back bay
Harbor side, was built by the British. There was a cannon and an underground
gunpowder store. Today, the rails of its cannon mount, the iron part with the
center of the cannon mount, and the steps are still intact.
No.17 - Colonial Cemeteries
These burial grounds are located on the
road leading to the Koneswaram temple. Several tombs belonging to Dutch and
British nationals belonging to the colonial period can be seen here and their
details are also recorded on the inscriptions.
No.18 - Flagstaff Battery
This battery is located in front of the
Koneswaram temple. Currently, it is not open to tourists as it is maintained as
a high security checkpoint by the Navy. There was a large cannon here. Today,
the underground building where the cannon was installed is very similar to the
Western War Attic. An open courtyard and several other rooms can be seen there.
No.19 - Koneswaram Temple
Thirukoneshwaram Temple Built to worship
Lord Shiva, this temple was built in AD. The temple was built by the Chola
rulers in the 10th and 11th centuries and was later patronized by the rulers of
Polonnaruwa. The construction of the temple and its history are also mentioned
in Vayalpanam Vaipamalai, Vayu Purana and Thirugnanasambandhan's poems composed
to be sung in the temple. A place of great respect for Hindus.
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