Fort Cornwallis
Pulau Pinang
Fort Cornwallis is a historic bastion fort situated in George Town, Penang, Malaysia. Originally established in 1786 by Captain Francis Light after taking possession of Penang Island, the fort was initially a simple nibong stockade. It was rebuilt between 1804 and 1810 using brick and stone by Indian convict laborers under British administration to protect the island during the Napoleonic Wars, though it never saw battle. The fort features star-shaped walls approximately 10 feet high, old cannons including the famous Seri Rambai cannon dating back to 1603, and the earliest surviving colonial-era roofed structure in Penang, the chapel built in 1799. A 21-meter skeletal steel lighthouse, Malaysia's second oldest, stands at the fort's northeast corner. Historically, the fort served more administrative functions, housing the Supreme Court judge and later the Sikh police in the 1920s. Today, Fort Cornwallis is a major tourist attraction offering insights into Penang's colonial past with galleries, historical exhibits, and preserved military architecture.
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Tip: Visitors are advised to visit during the cooler morning hours to avoid midday heat. Entrance tickets are recommended to be purchased in advance to avoid queues, especially on weekends and holidays. Discounts may be available for Malaysians, students, and senior citizens. Guided tours are available on-site to enrich the historical experience. The fort is wheelchair accessible and has a souvenir shop and café for refreshments.
Interesting facts
- •Fort Cornwallis is the largest standing fort in Malaysia.
- •The Seri Rambai cannon at the fort dates back to 1603 and has a rich history involving Dutch, Acehnese, and British possession.
- •The chapel built in 1799 is the earliest roofed colonial-era structure still standing in Penang.
- •The 21-meter skeletal steel lighthouse at the fort is the second oldest lighthouse in Malaysia and uniquely resembles a ship's mast.
- •The fort's moat was filled in the 1920s due to a malaria outbreak in the area.
History
Fort Cornwallis was originally constructed in 1786 as a wooden nibong stockade by Captain Francis Light after acquiring Penang Island from the Sultan of Kedah.
Between 1804 and 1810, it was rebuilt with brick and stone by Indian convict laborers during the Napoleonic Wars, under Governors R.T.
Farquhar and Norman Macalister.
The fort was surrounded by a moat that was filled in during the 1920s due to a malaria outbreak.
Although built as a military fortification, it primarily served administrative purposes, including housing the Supreme Court judge and later the Sikh police.
The fort was declared a historic monument in 1977 and has since become a key heritage site in Penang.
Place Guide
Main Gate and Drawbridge1786
The entrance features a traditional drawbridge that historically controlled access to the fort, symbolizing its defensive purpose despite never being used in battle.
Chapel1799
Built in 1799, the chapel is the earliest surviving colonial roofed structure in Penang. It was the site of the first recorded marriage in the fort, uniting John Timmers and Martina Rozells.
Seri Rambai Cannon1603
This large bronze cannon, cast in 1603, has a storied past involving multiple owners including the Dutch East India Company and the Sultan of Johore before arriving at Fort Cornwallis in the 1950s.
Fort Cornwallis Walls1810
The star-shaped walls, approximately 10 feet high, were constructed during the early 19th century to defend the fort and are a distinctive architectural feature.
Penang Harbour Lighthouse1882
Erected in 1882, this 21-meter skeletal steel lighthouse is the second oldest in Malaysia and unique for resembling a ship's mast. It no longer serves navigational purposes.
Contact
Phone: 016-411 0000
