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Ruins of 500-year-old fort surfaces
Ruins of an ancient fort, believed to be that of the 500-year-old Fort Immanuel, built by the Portuguese, has surfaced near the seashore here as the sand was washed away by the sea waves.
The fort ruins were buried in the waters after the sea intruded the beach shores here. The remains of the laterite structure became visible on the northern side of INS Dronacharya.
This is for the first time that a large portion of the ruins has been exposed.
Fort Immanuel, claimed to be the first European fort in the country, was built in 1503 and later reinforced in 1538. When the Dutch conquered Kochi, they reduced the length of the fort to one third of its original size.
Austin Paul, president of the International Forum for Culture, Heritage and Tradition (IFCHT) said the remains have to be protected and preserved before they are covered by the sea once again.
Bureau Report
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