After our visit to Poompuhar, we stopped by at the Danish port of Tranquebar.
Tranquebar was established by the Danish as a trading hub in the 17th century, and soon grew to be a small settlement. Now the town exists inland of the small walled fort. Unfortunately, we went on the one day the fort was closed,(Friday) and only saw what was in the town, and on the beach, which were, the Indo-Danish cultural centre museum, the Zionist church from 1718 with its Danish graveyard, a Chola temple ravaged and rebuilt after the 2004 tsunami, and an Anglican church.
Tranquebar was established in 1620, a small fort on the coast of Nagapattinam. For close to a 100 years, it dealt predominantly with Trade, but towards the end of the 17th century, the printing press
came to India, and the first press was set up here.
Soon, at the end of the 18th century, a press was set up at Madras, and soon printing became a common phenomenon. But that will be dealt with later. Because we did not see the press, as we had gone on the one day the fort was shut!
The Indo-Danish cultural centre, has been unearthing new artefacts, like pots and anchors, and sets these up for viewing. There is also a room where a long traditional boat has been hung, with a dolphin skeleton above it!
The artefacts here are varied, ranging from skeletons, to weights and measures, and paintings and definitely worth a look. There are some books here (copies of old ones, as well as new ones on Tranquebar) as well as postcards, available for sale.
Stone artefacts and weapons
A panorama of the street below, with the Zionist church opposite, and the fort, in the distance to the left.
The New Jerusalem church, established almost exactly 300 years ago, sits in the town, towards the coast, and has a moderate graveyard around it on all sides. The old bell from the belfry has been put on the ground floor for display. The grave of Reverend Barth Ziegenbalg from 1719 is in the church floor itself.
The church has some pretty interesting architecture, and is maintained quite well.
From here we went to a Chola era temple, which has been battered in the 2004 tsunami. The remains have been reconstructed with modern parts, so it is an interesting hotch potch of archetecture. The temple is acccessed through another temple, and has a causeway going out soem distance from the temple.
Location: Tranquebar/Tharagambadi (all three stops are walking distance from each other)
Tranquebar was established by the Danish as a trading hub in the 17th century, and soon grew to be a small settlement. Now the town exists inland of the small walled fort. Unfortunately, we went on the one day the fort was closed,(Friday) and only saw what was in the town, and on the beach, which were, the Indo-Danish cultural centre museum, the Zionist church from 1718 with its Danish graveyard, a Chola temple ravaged and rebuilt after the 2004 tsunami, and an Anglican church.
Tranquebar was established in 1620, a small fort on the coast of Nagapattinam. For close to a 100 years, it dealt predominantly with Trade, but towards the end of the 17th century, the printing press
came to India, and the first press was set up here.
Soon, at the end of the 18th century, a press was set up at Madras, and soon printing became a common phenomenon. But that will be dealt with later. Because we did not see the press, as we had gone on the one day the fort was shut!
The fort walls
Entrance to the fort
So we contented ourselves with looking around the serene streets of Tranquebar, entering the Indo-Danish cultural centre's museum, and the New Jerusalem church.
A house opposite the fort
The Indo-Danish cultural centre, has been unearthing new artefacts, like pots and anchors, and sets these up for viewing. There is also a room where a long traditional boat has been hung, with a dolphin skeleton above it!
The artefacts here are varied, ranging from skeletons, to weights and measures, and paintings and definitely worth a look. There are some books here (copies of old ones, as well as new ones on Tranquebar) as well as postcards, available for sale.
Plates with paintings, and some inlaid with seahorses and other little marine creatures
The statue of the founder of the Tranquebar mission, at the beach corner
The church has some pretty interesting architecture, and is maintained quite well.
The street on which the New Jerusalem church is
The church, celebrating 300 years
Grave of Rev Barth
Church ceiling
The fort
From here we went to a Chola era temple, which has been battered in the 2004 tsunami. The remains have been reconstructed with modern parts, so it is an interesting hotch potch of archetecture. The temple is acccessed through another temple, and has a causeway going out soem distance from the temple.
The pier going out(inspiration for a poem of mine, published here)
A panorama of the shoreline.
An out-of-focus pic of a building on the beach.
The temple, with old and new
The last stop for the day was Thirukadayur
Location: Tranquebar/Tharagambadi (all three stops are walking distance from each other)
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