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Fort Cornwallis, Penang
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Fort Cornwallis, Penang

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Fort Cornwallis - Penang
Fort Cornwallis
by kenyneo
Fort Cornwallis tips and photos posted by real travelers and Penang locals.

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Fort Cornwallis: Fort Cornwallis
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  • The first time I set foot on Fort Cornwallis was 12 years ago, when I chose Fort Cornwallis as my history project.

    The Fort Cornwallis was built by Captain Sir Francis Light at the northeastern tip of Penang Island after taking possession of the island in 1786. Even though the fort was originally built for the Royal artillery troops and the military, the fort had never been engaged in any battle in its entire history.

    Today, with its aged-old and rough characteristics, the fort has lost some of its structures except the gunpowder magazine, a Christian chapel, cell rooms, flagstaff, harbour light and several cannons. A modern amphitheatre was built inside the fort to promote cultural activities. The walls, entrance gate and the moat have been restored to experience the Fort Cornwallis as it was in the old days.

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  • Directions: Next to the Esplanade
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    Fort Cornwallis: Fort Cornwallis
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  • Fort Cornwallis was one of the first European structures in Penang. After Captain Francis Light officially took possession of the island on August 11th 1786, development of Penang began from this point. Captain Light built a fort as a defense against the French, Kedah, and pirates. At this time Anglo-French rivalry was at a peak. The original wooden fort was rebuilt in stone by convict labour in 1804.

    The most interesting item is certainly the canon Seri Rambai. This canon was made for the Dutch East India Company, then given by the Dutch to the Sultan of Johore, later captured by the Acehnese who in turn gifted it to the Sultan of Selangor. Eventually the Madras Native Infantry captured the cannon in 1871. Since then the Seri Rambai is in Fort Cornwallis. In a fascinating twist of fate, the cannon molded to become a powerful weapon of destruction, that has gone through a particularly violent and bloody 2 centuries, became in Fort Cornwallis a symbol of fertility for the local women of all ethnic background. Many childless ladies give offerings in the form of flowers and incenses to the spirit of the Seri Rambai.

    Entrance fee - RM4 adults , RM2 children

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  • Directions: Penang Port
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    Fort Cornwallis: The Fort
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  • Fort Cornwallis is the legacy of the British occupiers who were in Penang from the end of the 18th Century.

    The cannons are still on top of the walls, and we wonder how simple the battles were in the days of old.

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    Fort Cornwallis: Fort Cornwallis
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  • Francis light statue - mi's - Penang
    Francis light statue -
    mi's
    by black_mimi99
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    The star-shape Ford Cornwallis stands at the place where Francis Light and his crew landed in 1786 to “take possession” of Penang Island.

    Can I be a soldier??? hahahahaha......

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    Fort Cornwallis: Fort Cornwallis
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  • The fort was built on the site of Sir Francis Light's historic landing in 1786. Originally a wooden stockade. It is now a concrete structure and currently houses cannons, a history gallery, cafe, handicraft and souvenir centre as well as an open-air amphitheatre.

  • Directions: Admission Fee | Adult : Rm3.00 Child : Rm1.00 Operating Hour | Monday - Sat : 9:00am - 6:30pm Sunday : Closed
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    Fort Cornwallis: A Little Lesson in History
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  • But not from me! We found Fort Cornwallis fascinating and even vaguely nostalgic in a funny kind of way... but, all-in-all, I really just wanted to sit in a WigWam!

    Okay then:

    sms Fort Cornwallis is one of the earliest structures erected on the Island of Penang. It was built in 1786 - only 18 years after Captain Francis Light first landed on that very spot. It was rebuilt in 1804 to substitute nibong palms with good old stone. The chapel, which still stands in one corner of the fort, was the first to be built on Penang.

    Today, the fort is educational and quaint. Staff dress in Colonial style clothes and the gift shop sells copies of Captian Light's hat! Galleries and showcases promote the history of the fort which are all accompanied by text.

    The Fort is open between 8:30am & 6:30pm and it cost us RM3 to get in... I think children under 12 are only RM2 for admission.

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  • Directions: On the seafront - if you can see the water you can't be far wrong! It's near the Victoria Memorial Clock
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    Fort Cornwallis: History lesson
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  • The Esplanade today looks very different from the one I knew when I was a child. Both the Esplanade and Gurney Drive were places where family outings took place to enjoy some sea breeze.

    One thing remained unchanged which is Fort Cornwallis. It was one of the first European structures in Penang. After Captain Francis Light officially took possession of the island on August 11th 1786, development of Penang began from this point. He built a fort as a defense against the French, Kedah, and pirates.

    Completed sometime in the first decade of the 19th century, it was never accorded a very high priority.

  • Directions: At the Esplanade, close to the ferry terminal
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    Fort Cornwallis: 1-2-3 CANNONBALLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!
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    Fort Cornwallis: Don't go on a Sunday
    Fort Cornwallis.

    We decided to go sightseeing on a Sunday. Only to discover Fort Cornwallis is shut on a Sunday. We also then thought that the National Museum would be shut on a Sunday as well, which it isn't. Oh well.

    That will teach us to do some prior planning before we set out.

  • Directions: Towards the passenger pier.
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    Fort Cornwallis: Fort Cornwallis
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