Pallipuram Fort
| Pallippuram Fort | |
|---|---|
Paliport Castelo em Cima (Castle on the Top) | |
| Pallippuram, Vyppin, Ernakulam district | |
Ruins of the Portuguese fort in Vyppin | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Island fort |
| Owner | Government of Kerala |
| Controlled by | Portugal (1503-1661) Netherlands (1661-1789) Travancore (1789-1858) India
|
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Condition | Structure |
| Location | |
Shown within Kerala | |
| Coordinates | 10°10′12″N 76°10′48″E / 10.170°N 76.180°E |
| Site history | |
| Built | 27 September 1503 |
| Materials | Stone |
Pallippuram Fort or (Paleport Castelo em Cima) is a fort in Pallippuram, Vyppin, Ernakulam district of Kerala, south India. It was built by Portuguese sailors on 27 September, 1503 using just timber wood, and later renovated in 1505 by replacing timber structure with stone. It is the oldest existing European fort in India. The Dutch captured the fort in 1663 and sold it to the Kingdom of Travancore in 1789. The fort is situated in the northern extremity of Vypeen island and is hexagonal in shape, a form popularly known as ayikkotta or alikotta.