Gundert Bungalow

Gundert Bungalow


Situated 20 km from Kannur, near Thalasseri town, on the National Highway at Illikunnu hill is the Gundert Bungalow. The Bungalow is of historical significance as it was the residence of Dr. Herman Gundert, the revered German missionary, scholar and lexicographer. He lived here for 20 years from 1839 and has written 18 books in Malayalam including a grammar book. He had also established a church on Nettur Hill in 1889. Gundert Bungalow is a prominent structure with wide doors and verandahs and deep tiled eaves. It was here that one of the first Malayalam dictionaries and the first Malayalam Newspaper - 'Paschimodayam' - took shape. Gundert's bungalow, now houses part of the Nettur Technical Training Foundation, a unique institution started by the Swiss Foundation. 

Thalasseri Fort

Thalasseri Fort

The imposing historical monument, Thalasseri fort, situated 22 km from Kannur, stands on a rocky cliff, right on the Thalasseri beach. Thalassery was the first settlement of the British East India Company on the western coast. The British arrived in Thalassery in 1683, and they shifted their commercial capital from Kozhikode to Thalassery, following obstruction from the Dutch. In 1700, they established a fort on a small hill called Tiruvellapadkunnu and it was reconstructed in 20th August 1708, by strengthening the gigantic walls and incorporating huge intricately carved doors. The fort was the military center of the British. It is believed to have a secret channel to the sea, which was used as an escape route when under attack.

Thalasseri Fort, now under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India has a magnificent gate way and a light house. Around the fort stands the Brennen cemetery, St.Rosario church, St.John's Anglican church and the sub-collector's bungalow. Brennen cemetery, named after Sir Edward Brennen, houses tomb's of many European officials of the East India Company. Other attractions in the vicinity of the fort are the Sports Authority Of India Gymnastic Centre, established as a circus training centre; an old Muslim mosque known as Odathil Palli, the Jagannatha Temple dedicated to Siva and Thiruvangadi Sree Rama Swami temple other wise known as the Brass Pagoda.