FORT FREDERICK

The citadel was built by the Portuguese in 1624 on Swami Rock from the debris of the Koneswaram temple, which was destroyed for the occasion. It was originally a triangular fort, equipped with cannons seized from a ship of the Danish fleet. In 1639, the fort was taken by the Dutch who, in 1665, refitted it to defend against the English and French fleets. It was then renamed Fort Frederick. In 1672, the Dutch War began in Europe and allowed the French to take possession of the site... only to be driven out and then back in. Finally, the fort was returned to the Dutch and the East India Company (V.O.C.) in 1784. Finally, in 1795, Fort Frederick was taken by the British who kept it until 1948, after having established there, during the Second World War, the headquarters of the British naval forces in Southeast Asia. It should be noted that agreements with the government of Ceylon allowed the British navy to occupy the site until 1957. Today, the fort houses a detachment of the Sri Lankan army but remains open to visitors. Here are the main points of interest.

The pediment at the entrance of the fort. Note the inscription "God and my Right", which could lead to confusion about its origin. Although the French did occupy the fort, this is the motto of the kings of England, written in our language which was once the language of the rulers of the kingdom.

Gokanna Rajamaha Viharaya. This Buddhist temple, which can be seen overhanging the southwestern part of the fort on arrival, should not be confused with the Koneswaram Kovil, which can be found on the opposite side. A pristine white statue of Buddha, about 7 meters high, watches over Back Bay from its promontory. The view is splendid.

Koneswaram Kovil. The tip of the rock, named Swami Rock, is crowned by this Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. On the same spot, the Hindu temple Thirukonamalai Konesar, built in 200 BC, which used to attract pilgrims from all over Asia, was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1624. This was done in order to reuse the material for the construction of the fort that would become Fort Frederick. One can imagine the splendor of the monument if one considers that its destroyers themselves called it "the temple of a thousand pillars". It was rebuilt in 1963 as Koneswaram Kovil. Although smaller in size than its predecessor, it remains an important place of worship for Hindus and a place of visit for practitioners of other religions. The main ceremonies take place at 5am, 9am, 11am and 12pm. There is intense activity on poya days.

Swami Rock. This is the name given to the northern part of the rock on which Fort Frederick and Koneswaram Kovil are built. Its name means "Rock of the Lord", Swami Rock rises 130 m above the water and offers a very picturesque view of the two bays that surround it, Back Bay and Dutch Bay, as well as of the city.

Lover's Leap. This romantic name, which designates the extreme point of Swami Rock, hides a tragedy that really happened here. It was here, on April 24, 1687, that Francina Van Reed, the daughter of a Dutch officer, threw herself into the sea after watching her fiancé's ship disappear over the horizon. The date of this tragedy can be seen, almost erased, inscribed on a pillar.