A Dutch Fort, murky streets, Danish church, and waking up to the sunrise - experience an explosion of Dutch history at the Tranquebar beach. Wandermile, a Chennai-based travel company gives us all the deets on how to explore this Dutch settlement.
At Tharangambadi (near Karaikal and Poompuhar), once you cross the village, you will feel like you entered a whole new country. Fort Dansborg, a charming Dutch fort on Tranquebar beach, is dilapidated now, but it has a story to tell you. The Danish landed ashore in 1620, and this fort was supposed to be a trading centre. You can sit on the terrace of the fort, facing the sea, and listen to the rhythmic waves hit the rocks. This part of the beach used to be a port harbour and the fort is now a museum to explore the history of the Dutch colony. The buildings, schools, and church around the area remain to this day.
You can stay the night by the beach at Neemrana properties - they have three heritage hotels in Tranquebar town, and their bungalow on the beach will give you Instagood views. The hotel is known for its ‘royal’ English breakfast, so you can sit in an antique room with Ming dynasty plates and cups and enjoy your food looking out at the azure waves.
After that, you can visit the Danish church, and take a walk across the graveyard behind, and read about the people who lived there years ago. End your day by getting lost in your thoughts at the rustic Shiva temple right on the shore, as old as the 14th century.
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