- Address: Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
- Phone: +60 4-263 9855
- Opening hours: 07: 00-22: 00
- Year of foundation: 1799
The Malaysian island of Penang is famous for its colonial part - Georgetown . Here the main tourist attraction is the ancient Fort Cornwallis (Fort Cornwallis).
general information
The Citadel began to erect under the leadership of the British Francis Light on the east coast of the state in 1786, and finished in 1799.
The main purpose of the fort was to provide security on the island and protect the coastline from pirate raids. Originally to build Cornwallis decided from palm trees. In this way, the jungle was immediately cleared for building the fortress.
The locals did not hurry to help the colonialists, and the British lacked the hands. Francis Light ordered to load the gun with silver coins and shoot towards the jungle. This motivation convinced the Aborigines, and the site was ready for construction in 2 months.
In the XIX century, all the buildings, together with a wooden palisade, were encircled with stone and brick. Workers in the building were assisted by prisoners of local prisons. Its modern name was given to the fortress in honor of Charles Cornwallis. He was commander-in-chief of British troops in India and governor-general in the East India Company.
For all its history, the citadel has never been used for military operations. It became the administrative center for the British colonialists living on the island. On the territory of Cornwallis, a Christian chapel was built, all believing islands visited it.
The fort is currently
Today the fortress is a historical landmark. During the tour you will see such original buildings as:
- The medieval cannons, mounted on 4-meter walls of the fortress;
- ammunition depots;
- barracks;
- chapel;
- lighthouse.
In the 20-ies of the XX century, a moat was filled with water (its width was 9 m, and the depth reached 2 m), which surrounded Cornwallis. The main cause of this action was an outbreak of malaria in the area.
But the bronze cannon (the one from which he shot the coins F. Light) has reached our days. It has an unusual history, for it was fought by the British and the Dutch, and later the guns were stolen by pirates and flooded off the coast of Malaysia , from where it later got the British. Local residents have allocated weapons with magical abilities and tell about it various legends. For example, in order to quickly become pregnant, a woman needs to put a bouquet of flowers nearby and read a special prayer.
Features of visit
On the territory of the ancient fortress there is an interesting museum. He tells visitors about the history of the fort. There is also a crafts center and a gift shop selling original products, magnets and postcards that depict the original fort.
Near Cornwallis is a small city park, and from the walls of the citadel offers a stunning panorama. On holidays near the fortress, interactive shows are organized, which introduce visitors to the historical events and the life of the colonialists.
The ticket price for tourists over the age of 18 is $ 1, and for adolescents, admission is free. For a fee you can hire a guide. The tour lasts about 2 hours. It is recommended to take drinking water and headdresses to the fort.
How to get to Cornwallis?
From the center of Penang to the fort, tourists will walk or drive by road Pengkalan Weld, Lebuh Light and Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling. The distance is about 2 km. You can also get here by bus, which has the SAT mark. They walk every hour, and the journey takes up to 10 minutes.