In 1786, soon after the British took possession of the island, Francis Light erected a fort of nibong palms at the tip of the cape which was called Fort Point and named it after the Governer-General in Bengal -Charles Cornwallis. This fort was later reconstructed in the same size, shape and layout. Convict labour which was first imported in 1789 was immediately put to work on the fort by Francis Light to rebuilt the fort in brick for 67,000 Spanish Dollars in 1793.

    Fort Cornwallis was the first military and administrative base of the East India Company and the garrison of Fort Cornwallis consisted of a handful of Europeans, who resided within the fort and Sepoys , who dwelt in attap huts next to the fort. Previously surrounded by a 27-foot wide and 6 feet deep moat, it was filled in about a century ago due to malaria.

    Today relics such as the chapel, store, cell rooms, and the gunpowder magazine still remain in this fort. History galleries from the early 1700 and staff with colonial costume is now part of the attraction to visit this fort.

Fort Relics

Chapel - Located at the South-West of the fort, this is the first chapel built in Penang and the first recorded service which took place was the marriage of Francis Light's widow, Martina Rozells, to John Timmers in 1799.

Cell- Built in 1811, formerly used as barracks to house a company of European artillery and later converted to cell rooms.

Gunpowder Magazine - Constructed in 1814, the magazine is located at the north-west bastion of the fort and it was used to store explosives. It was designed to minimize the damages caused by an explosion.

Seri Rambai Cannon - This cannon was presented to the Sultan of Johore by the Dutch. However, it was later given to Acheh and installed at Kuala Selangor. Finally this cannon was seized by the British and installed here at the north-west bastion of the fort in 1871.

Admission Fee

Adult : RM3.00

Child (4-11 yrs) : RM2.00

Operating Hours

Monday-Saturday : 9.00am - 6.30pm

Sunday : Closed

Services

Group Tours ; Educational Tour Program; Treasure Hunt in Fort Cornwallis; 

Space Rental for Private Function; Family Day; Wedding; Heritage Trail by Trishaw Ride

Managed By:

Sebagus Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd.

Fort Cornwallis, Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah,

10200 George Town, Penang

Tel : +604-261 0262 / 261 0263 

Fax : +604-261 0260

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